Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Misheck Mugadza, has called for the unconditional removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.
Speaking during the commemoration of SADC Anti-Sanctions Day in Manicaland, yesterday, Mugadza said the province remained firmly behind President Emmerson Mnangagwa in calling for the removal of the unilateral measures.
“Today, as we commemorated SADC Anti-Sanctions Day here in Manicaland, the people of Manicaland stood firmly behind His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, in our call for the unconditional removal of these illegal unilateral sanctions,” he said.
Mugadza said the restrictions had affected the operating environment for businesses but maintained that Zimbabwe continued pursuing its development agenda through domestic resource mobilisation and economic reforms.
“These sanctions have curtailed financial access, raised business costs and slowed our local progress, yet we keep moving forward,” he said.
He said the Government remained committed to strengthening macroeconomic stability, improving the operating environment and pursuing international re-engagement through dialogue and arrears clearance.
“Despite these difficulties, under the visionary leadership of His Excellency the President, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe continues to build from within, guided by the philosophy ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo’,” Mugadza said.
He added that the country was working to strengthen its currency and economic stability while maintaining its commitment to international cooperation.
“We are strengthening our currency and macroeconomic stability, while pursuing re-engagement and arrears clearance through dialogue, guided by the principle that Zimbabwe is a friend to all and an enemy to none, and is open for business,” he said.
Mugadza said the National Development Strategy 1 and 2 (NDS1 and NDS2) were guiding development across agriculture, mining, energy and infrastructure, while devolution was bringing essential services closer to communities.
“Investments in clinics, classrooms, roads and clean water were supporting the Government’s commitment to ensuring that “no one and no place is left behind,” he said.
The commemoration formed part of regional calls for the removal of sanctions and renewed emphasis on cooperation, economic development and improved livelihoods across Southern Africa.
