Zimbabwe is now pinning hopes on a European Union (EU) type of engagement to ease tough international relations that have led to sanctions from western countries.
The African country has been under economic sanctions from western countries which accused the Zimbabwean government of violating human rights two decades ago.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa opened a dialogue with the EU block hoping to end the sanctions left in place by the Robert Mugabe regime with little success.
Mugabe’s successor has also engaged the SADC block which set aside 25 October as an anti-Zimbabwe sanctions day in 2019.
In his anti-sanctions day message, the Zimbabwean leader said his government stands ready to strengthen cooperation with all in pursuit of national aspirations and common global interests.
“It is my fervent hope that the dialogue with the European Union will remain constructive and proceed with the spirit of equal partnership for the mutual benefit of our people,” he said.
“My government is also ready to enter into similarly structured dialogues with the United Kingdom and the United States of America.”
SADC Chairperson and President of Malawi Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, also calling for the removal of sanctions also believed in dialogue as Zimbabwe’s way forward.
“The Republic of Zimbabwe, and the SADC Region, are committed to engage in meaningful and constructive dialogue with all relevant stakeholders, with a view to consolidate the rule of law, democracy, governance, and human rights,” Chakwera said.
“It is only through such exchanges that better appreciation of concerns of all parties could be secured and progress towards their resolution be achieved.”
The Malawian President also said the SADC region remains adamant that the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, whether targeted or restrictive, are a fundamental constraint and hindrance to the country’s prospects of economic recovery, human security and sustainable growth.
The Zimbabwean government has been blaming sanctions for the economic challenges bedeviling the country.
Members of Parliament who were at a conference in the leisurely and resort city of Victoria Falls, in a statement revealed that US$ 2 million which had been processed for national identity cards and Passports consumables could not go through because of the “illegal embarges”.
“Clearly, sanctions are real and are undermining progress on many fronts of the economy while at the same time retarding the growth that has been witnessed in several spheres,” the statement reads.
“Within the economic sector, the private sector is either failing to secure capital for retooling or is getting it at a high premium thereby making the sector very uncompetitive.”
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) believes legitimacy crisis on the part of the ruling party which lingers on due to the gross nature of electoral irregularities in Zimbabwe is the problem.
The organization noted the “cosmetic approaches” towards national dialogue in Zimbabwe, especially through the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) platform.
CiZC spokesperson Marvellous Kumalo said a genuine all stakeholders dialogue is the panacea to unlocking the multifaceted crisis in Zimbabwe.
“We also note with great concern that political elites continue to use the sanctions mantra to cover up for corruption and looting of national resources- major contributing factors to Zimbabwe’s economic crisis.” Kumalo said.
Western countries have however denied economic sanctions as the source of Zimbabwean problems and blame corruption in the country.
The developed world says sanctions can only be removed in Zimbabwe is to reform.
This year’s Anti-Sanctions Solidarity Day goes under the theme ‘Friend to all, enemy to none forging ahead and enhancing innovation and productivity in the adversity of sanctions”.
