Zimbabwe shall forever remember and remain indebted to the late President John Pombe Magufuli for piloting and championing this far-reaching SADC decision. Equally, we shall forever thank the Government and the people of the sister United Republic of Tanzania on the bold and enduring expression of solidarity embodied in the decision, and very much in character with Tanzania’s traditional pan-African, pro-liberation outlook.
Article 15 of the 2019 SADC Summit stridently declares that the prolonged illegal sanctions against our country exert “adverse impact on (our) whole economy and the (SADC) region at large”.
Calling for their immediate, unconditional removal, Article 16 urges SADC member States “to collectively voice their disapproval of the sanctions through various activities and platforms until the sanctions are lifted”.
This SADC resolution, which has since become an African Union resolution, continues to see many countries acting in concert and in solidarity with us each year on this and other days.
We are able to marshal the voice of the continent behind us. Zimbabwe is, thus, truly grateful for this great act of continental solidarity.
The campaign is paying off
We are already seeing positive signs arising from this combined African and world pressure against sanctions, more especially within the European Union bloc, and in individual countries belonging to it.
There is a growing readiness to hear us, and to respond positively to our overall re-engagement efforts and overtures.
While the United States government still remains hostile and obdurate, at people-to-people level, more and more American individuals, businesses and organisations are beginning to engage and warm up to us, including expressing real, substantial interest in participating in our economy.
Indeed, while in New York, I engaged and interfaced with many such friendly interests. Zimbabwe remains open for business, and at all times commits itself to being a friend to all and an enemy to none.
Over the years, historians and social scientists have maintained that hardships and limitations, whether natural or man-made, often beget great civilisations and lasting gains.
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