Lawson Mabhena, ADDIS ABABA Ethiopia
International
peace and cooperation can only be enhanced through dialogue, not sanctions,
President Mnangagwa told the African Union (AU) Summit.
In his address on the second day of
the meeting of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) yesterday, President
Mnangagwa called for the unconditional removal of the unilateral sanctions that
have been stifling economic growth for two decades.
He said his Government was engaging
the United States (US) and the European Union (EU) to restore relations and end
sanctions.
On Sunday, Zimbabwe officially joined
the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) despite outstanding issues,
including sanctions.
“We would like to express our
solidarity with the people and governments of Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia,
Burundi and Cuba who are equally suffering from similar unilateral sanctions.
These imposed sanctions have been on for two decades now.
“The European Union has taken positive
steps to repeal their sanctions regime. We urge them to complete the process by
removing the remaining measures against Zimbabwe. My administration has engaged
the EU and USA with a view to normalise our bilateral relations and put the
past behind us,” the President said.
“To enhance international peace and
cooperation, dialogue, not sanctions is the right approach.”
President Mnangagwa apprised the
assembly on the progress on cross-cutting political, economic, legislative and
media reforms his Government has been implementing since November 2017 when he
assumed office.
“In our quest to enhance national
cohesion, unity and political tolerance, we have established the Political
Actors Dialogue (POLAD) platform which brings together the various political
actors in our country.
“Meanwhile, our efforts to review the
economy are ongoing and the ease of doing business has improved as acknowledged
by the Global Index on Ease of Doing Business. We have opened up media space to
more players under the new dispensation,” he said.
“Zimbabwe is therefore fully committed
to continue those voluntary reforms because they are good for our people and
further facilitate sustainable development, national unity and peace.”
The reform agenda got a major boost on
Saturday, when Zimbabwe acceded to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM),
while President Mnangagwa further committed to wrapping up the alignment of all
national statutes and laws to the new Constitution by end of June.
The 33rd Ordinary Session of the
Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU opened on Sunday at the AU
Headquarters.
The summit, which ended yesterday, was
being held under this year’s theme: “Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive
Conditions for Africa’s Development.”
Silencing the Guns is
a commitment to achieve the aspirations of Africa’s Agenda 2063. -
Africa
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