AU calls for lifting of all sanctions imposed against Zimbabwe

ADDIS ABABA – Chairperson of African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat has called for all sanctions imposed against zimbabwe to be lifted.

The Chairperson renewed the African Union “demand for the immediate and unconditional removal of sanctions imposed” against Zimbabwe, said the pan African bloc.

Mahamat said this in a statement the AU issued in support of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) commemoration of SADC Anti-Sanctions Day.

“The Chairperson remains concerned by the negative impact of continued sanctions against the Republic of Zimbabwe to the country’s socio-economic development and recovery efforts,” the statement reads.

The Chairperson has also reaffirmed AU’s commitment to continue working closely with the SADC to support all regional efforts.

In this regard, the African Union associates itself fully with the statement issued by President Lazarus Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi and current Chairperson of SADC, the statement says.

On Monday, SADC countries voiced their concerns on, “and disapproval of the prolonged sanctions imposed” on Zimbabwe.

“As SADC, we are concerned by the continuation of sanctions on some individuals or entities of Zimbabwe and hereby call for the unconditional and immediate lifting of these sanctions,” said Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of Malawi, and Chairperson of the 16-member regional bloc.