State Media

Parliamentarians from across the political divide have been challenged to join the nation in calling for the removal of illegal sanctions imposed on the country.

This comes as the country will on Sunday commemorate the second anniversary of the Sadc Anti-Sanctions Day following its adoption at the regional body’s Heads of State and Government Summit held in Tanzania last year.

Moving a point of privilege in the National Assembly yesterday, Zanu PF chief whip Pupurai Togarepi also proposed that the legislators craft a joint statement calling for the unconditional removal of the embargo.

“On the 25th of October the country will be united in calling for the removal of the illegal sanctions. Therefore, I call on the MPs to join fellow Zimbabweans in the call for their removal.

“SADC and other progressive nations have stood with Zimbabwe and have called for the removal of sanctions. As representatives of the people, we stand with them in calling for the removal of sanctions,” Togarepi said.

He added: “Even as MPs we can come up with a joint statement for the removal of sanctions for the development of this country.

The US and the EU imposed sanctions on the country 20 years ago in retaliation to Government’s adoption of the land reform exercise meant to correct historical colonial imbalances.

Although the EU has rolled back most of its sanctions the US’s punitive measures set out in the misnamed Zimbabwe Economic Recovery and Democracy Act remain in existence and have prevented the country from accessing international lines of credit. It increased the country’s risk profile.

Commemorations to mark this year’s anti-sanctions day will be hosted virtually, including President Mnangagwa’s address to the nation.