This week, Moussa Faki Mahamat (pictured) the President of the AU Commission reaffirmed his position regarding sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe. In a statement issued on October 25, he called for the immediate and unconditional removal of the sanctions against the country.

“The Chairperson of the AU Commission reaffirms the African Union’s continued demand for the immediate and unconditional removal of sanctions imposed on the Republic of Zimbabwe, and support of the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) decision to commemorate October 25, 2020, as SADC Anti-Sanctions Day,” the statement read.

This announcement echoes the recent declarations by Zimbabwean authorities who believe that sanctions, particularly from the United States, are contributing significantly to keeping the country in a critical economic situation. These sanctions were imposed under the regime of Robert Mugabe, whose years as president have plunged the Zimbabwean economy into a "descent into hell."

In Harare, all economic indicators are in the red. The country has difficulty borrowing from international donors because of the level of its debt and payment arrears. It also suffers from a shortage of foreign currency while the level of budget deficits is worrisome.

This situation is compounded by covid-19 and inflation that accelerated to 659.4% year-on-year in September 2020. All these against a backdrop of rising food insecurity that has now affected more than half of the population, according to the UN.

“The chairperson recalled the continuity of his call since 2017 where the AU Commission, its relevant organs including the Peace and Security Council and the Bureau of Heads of State and Government, have consistently voiced the Union’s concerns regarding the negative impact of the persistent economic sanctions on the economy and people of Zimbabwe,” the AU statement indicated.

The President of the AU Commission also expressed “his determination and that of the various relevant organs of the AU to continue to mobilize support for the South African country’s recovery efforts.”

Moutiou Adjibi Nourou