African Union renews call for immediate, unconditional lifting of Zimbabwe sanctions

The African Union (AU) has renewed its call for the immediate and unconditional lifting of unilateral sanctions imposed on institutions and individuals in Zimbabwe, citing their adverse impact on the country’s socio-economic development.

In a statement issued on Friday, October 23, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf expressed concern that the sanctions continued to constrain Zimbabwe’s economic progress and undermine its development ambitions.

According to the AU, the measures have restricted Zimbabwe’s access to international financial systems, deterred foreign direct investment, increased the cost of doing business and significantly limited the country’s ability to secure development assistance.

The Commission said the sanctions had also undermined progress towards Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) regional macroeconomic convergence and integration targets, the AU’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Mr Youssouf reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to supporting Zimbabwe in mobilising efforts to secure the removal of the sanctions.

The AU also expressed full alignment with a statement issued by the SADC Chairperson on behalf of the regional bloc, reinforcing the region’s position on the issue.