Zimbabwe’s government has vehemently condemned the latest sanctions imposed by the United States against President Emmerson Mnangagwa and several senior officials.
The US accused Mnangagwa and others of corruption and human rights violations, allegations rebuffed by the Zimbabwean government as “defamatory” and “gratuitous slander.” These sanctions mark a significant shift from a broader program initiated two decades ago, sparking outcry from Zimbabwean officials.
In response to the sanctions, George Charamba, a spokesperson for President Mnangagwa, labeled the accusations as “completely uncalled for” and urged the Biden administration to provide evidence to substantiate its claims.
Charamba demanded the immediate withdrawal of the sanctions, terming them as “illegal coercive measures” that continue hostilities against Zimbabwe by the US government.
Additionally, Zimbabwean authorities called upon international bodies such as the UN, the African Union, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to support their plea for the removal of the sanctions.
The freshly imposed measures include asset freezes and travel bans targeting President Mnangagwa, his wife Auxillia Mnangagwa, Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri, as well as senior security officials and business figures linked to state corruption.
Zimbabwe’s government has long criticized such sanctions, attributing them to the country’s economic woes, including hyperinflation and high poverty levels. The condemnation reflects ongoing tensions between the US and Zimbabwe, underscoring the complexities of international relations amidst accusations and counter-accusations of misconduct and human rights violations.
