Information Secretary Nicky Mangwana has revealed dismay over the United States extension of sanctions to Zimbabwe for undermining democratic processes.
The Secretary went on to call the US position of extending sanctions by another year baffling.
“All the Zimbabwean Government asks for, is to be allowed space to be a full member of the community of nations transacting without restrictions as other nations do,” Mangwana says.
“We don’t seek to interfere with the foreign policy or interests of any nation and we have no history of doing that. Our commitment is to the development of our country and the delivery of socio-economic outcomes to our people”
US President Donald Trump extending sanctions says undermining democratic processes continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of his country.
“The actions and policies by certain members of the Government of Zimbabwe and other persons to undermine Zimbabwe’s democratic processes or institutions continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States,” he said.
“For this reason, the national emergency declared on March 6, 2003, and the measures adopted on that date, on November 22, 2005, and on July 25, 2008, to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond March 6, 2020.”
“Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13288,” Trump said.
US officials have also been calling for reforms in Zimbabwe before the removal of sanctions.
Mangwana commenting on reforms says, ” We have embarked on a pathway of reform because it is in the best interests of our Nation to do so, and it is also necessary to align our policies and programmes with our constitution.”
“We, therefore, call upon those nations who wish our country and people well to partner us and be patient with us as we continue to undertake these reforms towards meeting the aspirations of our people.”