‘Zim free to trade with the US’
On March 4, 2024, United States President Joe Biden terminated the Zimbabwe sanctions programme while the country’s Treasury imposed fresh restrictive measures under the Global Magnitsky Act of 2016 tightening sanctions on President Emmerson Mnangagwa and 10 other individuals. Placing Mnangagwa on the sanctions list irked Harare that has since called for total removal of sanctions. There have been several interpretations on the latest development’s implications on politics, business and trade after Biden’s announcement and to understand more on this and the role being played by the US in Zimbabwe’s health, agriculture and several other sectors, AB Communications Editor-in-Chief Moses Matenga took time to engage the US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, Elaine French, on the sidelines of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) where the Embassy was exhibiting.
MM: The US has done a lot in the health sector in Zimbabwe through various initiatives. Take us through what you have done in that regard and how the people of Zimbabwe have benefitted.
EF: I am so proud of the work the US has done especially in the health sector here in Zimbabwe. The United States is actually the biggest bilateral donor in Zimbabwe in particular in the health sector. Since 1980, the United States has provided nearly US$5bn to the people of Zimbabwe and the vast majority of that has been in the health related issues. In 1980, at independence, the US made a promise to the people of Zimbabwe to help rebuild the health sector. That commitment initially was for US$2mn but that US$2mn has actually grown to nearly US$5bn in the last four decades plus. I think some people might feel that it has diminished in the last years but actually it has since grown. In the last three years alone we have provided a billion dollars to the people of Zimbabwe. This year we have recommitted the PEPFAR programme with US$209 to support the government of Zimbabwe in terms of addressing and combating the HIV epidemic and this is to support over two million Zimbabweans to live healthier longer lives by provision of Antiretroviral Therapy. We are not just working in the HIV sphere, we are also giving out support to the Ministry of Health and the government in terms of tackling Tuberculosis and Malaria.
MM: There has been talk of late on sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the United States. There have been diverse interpretations on President Joe Biden’s March announcement. So what is the position on sanctions on Zimbabwe post March 4, 2024?
EF: It has come out a lot lately and it’s mainly because on March 4, President Biden announced the termination of the Zimbabwe sanctions programme and he designated 11 individuals and three companies on the sanctions program and we believe here at the US Embassy in Harare that this is really creating an opening for the government to commit to key reforms in particular on human rights abuses and good governance and Anti-Corruption. We also see this as an opening for business, investors and banking for them to take a new look at Zimbabwe and see the opportunities here and consider investing in Zimbabwe. The US Embassy is doing its best by trying to engage and educate US businesses and banking on what sanctions are and are not. This new approach (on sanctions) is a global sanctions programme that the United States has around the world. Honestly speaking, just because we have individuals on the list does not impede our ability to invest or trade with these countries.
MM: The Zimbabwean government has argued that retaining President Mnangagwa on the sanctions list betrays the claims that there are no more sanctions against Zimbabwe at the moment. What’s your reaction to issues raised by the government?
There are not and have never been sanctions on the country of Zimbabwe nor the people of Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe Sanctions Programme had an extensive list of companies and individuals. This new designation only has 11 individuals and three companies. We do not believe that 11 individuals and three companies equate to 16 million people. We cannot have 11 individuals undermine the capacity of the productivity of 16mn Zimbabweans. We really feel there are creating a false narrative. We really feel that 16mn Zimbabweans can do a lot to trade with the US. We really feel strongly that the majority of Zimbabweans are free to trade with the United States.
MM: There are fears of drought in Zimbabwe and other African countries. The US has in the past worked to assist in such humanitarian issues. Do you have a plan for Zimbabwe to mitigate effects of the El Nino induced drought?
EF: It’s a serious issue and I know it is a serious one for many Zimbabweans. It is not only a serious issue for Zimbabweans but the region as well. In January, the US committed an additional US$11mn in assistance to some of the most vulnerable people in the country to help them better survive in this difficult period. That’s an addition to the US$115mn the United States provided in the last five years in the agriculture and food security sectors. As I mentioned earlier, drought is affecting the entire region and with the recent drought declaration by the President, it helps us to look at Zimbabwe and its neighbours and look at how the United States will respond comprehensively to the region.
