Only 110 Zimbabwean individuals and entities are currently under United States sanctions leaving the rest of the over 15 million Zimbabweans free to do business with Washington, senior US officials in Harare have said.
Since 2003, the Zimbabwean government has slammed the US for imposing economic sanctions on the country, a position the US strongly objects.
The US, together with Britain and the European Union says sanctions are targeting powerful political figures whom they accuse of gross human rights abuses and corruption which has crippled the economy.
In an interview with 263Chat ahead of Anti-Sanctions Day on the 25th of October, US officials said sanctions were actually designed in favor of ordinary Zimbabweans as they target individuals and entities that have benefited from human rights abuses on discerning voices and plundering the country’s resources.
“Honestly, 73 individuals and 37 entities targeted by US sanctions cannot be the reason the Zimbabwean economy has performed so badly. The economy has been run down by corruption, mismanagement of resources and lack of human rights respect by those who hold power,” said a US official.
According to Transparency International, a global coalition against corruption, Zimbabwe ranked 157 out of 180 countries in terms of corruption with a score of 23/100.
Despite Zimbabwean authorities publicly declaring fight against corruption, there has not been any convictions of high ranking officials accused of plundering national resources. Worryingly, some among President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s inner circle have been implicated in massive corruption scandals and remain untouchable.
On top of the US sanctions list is President Emmerson Mngangagwa and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga who are joined several Zanu PF heavyweights including businessman Kuda Tagwirei.
Last month, the US added Police Deputy Commissioner General, Steven Mutamba on its list while 11 individuals were scrapped for various reasons including death and being out of position of influence.
The 11 that were recently scrapped from the US sanctions list include Simon Khaya Moyo, Perence Shiri, Praadzai Zimhondi, Absolom Sikhosana, Kenneth Manyonda, Selina Pote, Joel Matiza, Edwin Muguti, Morris Sakabuya, Tendai Savanhu and Olivia Muchena.
“Under our sanctions program, we do of course deny them rights to be part of the US financial system and other liberties such as accessing US soil. But most importantly we red flag these individuals for the Zimbabwean population to know them for who they are,” added the official.
Recently US Department of State sanctions coordinator, James O’Brien told press that the removal of targeted sanctions should be complemented by taking corrective action against those previously accused of human rights abuses.
“What we’re asking is that the Zimbabwean Government take meaningful, noticeable, material actions that strengthen the democratic processes, build the institutions, and respect its constitution. We’d also like to see condemnation and prosecution of corrupt – for corruption and human rights abuses. Those are the things that will lead to people coming off the sanctions list, but they’re also the actions that make it much easier for a broader engagement,” said O’Brien.
According to political observers in Harare, the current administration is reluctant to prosecute past and current individuals accused of human rights abuses because they have also been previously implicated in the same acts.
“If we are to do that the United States itself should actually be incriminated for the genocide that it perpetuated since the time of slavery,” said Richard Mahomva, Director for International Communication Services Ministry of Information, Publicity Broadcasting Services.
“So this issue of having the notion of selective justice cannot be tolerated because if we are to start the discourse of prosecution globally, the US has the highest rank of genocide criminality. So they have no moral locus-standi to be teaching us on issues of governance even democracy because the issue of sanctions itself is a violation of our rights,” he added.
Nevertheless, Zimbabwean government continues preparations for the Anti-sanctions commemorations.
The government estimates that the sanctions have costs the country US$40 billion over the last 22 years.
