By Sharon Hudson-Dean
One of the most popular clichés in Zimbabwe’s national conversation is “illegal western sanctions”. It is time to set the record straight.
US sanctions are not blocking Zimbabwe’s economic recovery. The US does not maintain sanctions against the people of Zimbabwe or the country of Zimbabwe. US sanctions target individuals and entities that have undermined democratic processes or institutions in Zimbabwe.
More specifically, US sanctions target individuals who, among other things, are senior officials of the government, have participated in human rights abuses related to political repression and/or have engaged in activities facilitating public corruption by senior officials. US sanctions also target entities owned or controlled by the Zimbabwean government or officials of the government.
Unless a transaction involves a blocked individual or entity, US citizens may, and are encouraged to, conduct business in, and trade with, Zimbabwe and its people. The US Treasury updates targeted sanctions related to Zimbabwe by adding individuals or entities to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List as new individuals or companies emerge, or are identified, who meet the criteria for designation, and by removing individuals or entities from the list when they no longer meet the criteria for designation.
The US welcomes the opportunity to modify the targeted sanctions regime when blocked Zimbabwean officials demonstrate a clear commitment to respect the rule of law, democracy and human rights. This includes genuine support for the full implementation of the Global Political Agreement, which was brokered by the Southern African Development Community and agreed to by the leaders of Zimbabwe’s transitional government, and preparing for free, fair and peaceful elections, which will reflect the will of the Zimbabwean people.
Targeted sanctions should not be used by Zimbabwe’s leaders as an excuse to abrogate their responsibilities towards their own people under the Global Political Agreement. The US is not preventing Zimbabwe’s access to international financial assistance. The Zimbabwe Democracy and Economy Recovery Act , signed into law in 2001, and provisions contained in subsequent appropriations acts, restrict the ability of the US to vote in support of new assistance to Zimbabwe from international financial institutions , except for programmes that meet basic human needs or promote democracy.
Zimbabwe was already ineligible for multilateral loans before this law was passed due to its arrears to the international financial institutions. There is no US bilateral trade embargo against Zimbabwe. Trade levels fluctuate, but in 10 of the past 12 years (with the exception of 2007 and last year , when the global economic crisis affected nearly all markets), the trade balance between Zimbabwe and the US has favoured Zimbabwe, often by a large margin.
The US has not cut off aid to Zimbabwe. In fact, the US provided more than 300m last year and more than 200m this year for humanitarian, food, health and democracy and governance assistance. Next year, the US will continue to provide this level of assistance while also raising its commitment to fight HIV/ AIDS in Zimbabwe by 10m to a total of 57,5m.
The US is not trying to impose its own agenda on Zimbabwe and Africa. As President Barack Obama has said many times, Africa’s future is up to Africans. The US supports the Zimbabwean people in their effort to fully realise the promise of democracy, human rights and economic development. The US advocates full implementation of the Global Political Agreement, and the holding of free and fair elections that will reflect the will of the majority of Zimbabweans.
As Obama said, “development depends on good governance. That is the change that can unlock Africa’s potential. And it is a responsibility that can be met only by Africans.” Political freedom and stability are in the interest of all nations and all people who wish to enjoy lasting peace and prosperity. The US is a partner and a friend in this effort.
Sharon Hudson-Dean is spokeswoman for the US Embassy in Harare.
