via Sanctions on Zimbabwe affect Zambia’s growth, says minister | The Herald July 14, 2014
Zambian Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda has appealed to Britain to remove economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe as they were negatively affecting his country’s growth ambitions.
Mr Chikwanda said this when he met British Secretary of State for International Development Justine Greening during bilateral discussions focused on expanding existing relations between Zambia and Britain in Lusaka yesterday. ‘‘We are appealing to Britain to help some of our neighbouring countries like Zimbabwe,” he said.
“Our economies in this region are inter-linked, when there is a problem there, it spills over to us.’’ Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Chris Mutsvangwa hailed Mr Chikwanda’s statement, saying it was in line with the Southern Africa Development Community’s stance.
“We welcome the Zambian position of coming out in the public lobbying for the removal of sanctions against Zimbabwe,” he said.
“That is in line with the stance taken by Sadc. It is clear that the prosperity of a neighbour has a bearing on one’s personal development. Most of our trade with Zambia is affected if sanctions continue and the best way is to have them lifted.”
Deputy Minister Mutsvangwa said it was time Britain removed the illegal sanctions because it had failed to achieve its goal.
“Although the sanctions have caused suffering on the people, regime change has not been achieved in Zimbabwe,” he said.
“I think it is high time London behaves in a more civilised manner by removing the sanctions.”
Britain pledged unwavering support to Zambia’s development agenda during Mr Chikwanda’s meeting with Ms Greening.
Ms Greening said Britain remained committed to helping Zambia yield results from its development strategy through various reforms. Ms Greening was in Zambia to, among other things, deliver a keynote address during the Regional Symposium on Ending Child Marriages held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka. — Herald Reporter/Times of Zambia.
COMMENTS
Please specify which sanctions, Mugabe’s travel plans?
Zambia is doing this for us. Their economy is growing, sanctions or no sanctions. Ours whether its sanctions hindering it, well well all know the answer.
ROFL – I wonder what this fool of a mini-star was promised (but will never get) to come up with this nonsense. No one in Zimbabwe believes the “sanctions” Sacred Myth any longer and it is embarrassing to see some idiot trying to revive a dead donkey.
It just shows, stupidity has no limits
ONCE AND FOR ALL EVERYONE – The Sanctions Myth explained.
“The Zimbabwe sanctions program implemented by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) began on March
7, 2003, when the President issued Executive Order (“E.O.”) 13288. E.O. 13288 imposed sanctions against
specifically identified individuals and entities in Zimbabwe, as a result of the actions and policies of certain members
of the Government of Zimbabwe and other persons undermining democratic institutions or processes in Zimbabwe.
Following E.O. 13288, in response to the continued undermining of democratic institutions, the President issued two
subsequent Executive orders that expanded the list of sanctions targets to include immediate family members of any
person whose property and interests in property are blocked as well as those persons providing assistance to any such
individual”.
So, sanctions target Mugabage, his family and cronies ONLY –
not Zimbabwe, her industry, business, mining, travel or commerce, unless it belongs (50% or more) to M’Garbage and his murderous inner circle! Got it people?
Good sir, while I agree that the bulk of the problems facing the country are due to crony-ism, political patronage, corruption, mismanagement (the list is endless), we have to call a spade a spade. Below is an extract from the actual ZIDERA bill;
(c) MULTILATERAL FINANCING RESTRICTION- Until the President makes the certification described in subsection (d), and except as may be required to meet basic human needs or for good governance, the Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the United States executive director to each international financial institution to oppose and vote against–
(1) any extension by the respective institution of any loan, credit, or guarantee to the Government of Zimbabwe; or
(2) any cancellation or reduction of indebtedness owed by the Government of Zimbabwe to the United States or any international financial institution.
If these are not direct sanctions on the country, and not just an individual or group of individuals, then I dont know what is…
I can see Mugabe’s hand up Chikwanda’s backside. Another puppet on a string.
Its so unfortunate that people like Chikwanda would be so ignorant of basic facts and yet still be finance Minister in Zambia.
Hope this is not a reflection of the current Zambian leadership.
For the record Chikwanda, the sanctions are targetted sanctions targetting a few filthy rich and powerful individuals who have brought misery and untold suffering to the Zimbabwean population and these sanctions are not on the country itself. For those kind of sanctions go back to the 70s.
What is causing the issues is the state of zimbabwes entry points powers supply and the rest of the inept management of the country not sanctions just look at the border crossing at beit bridge, the state of the road to vic falls, the state of the railways that used to keep Zambia alive and the state of the airways. All let go because Mugabe wants to remain in power at any cost including that of his neighbouring countries economies.
Stupid Chikwanda. Which sanctions. I guess its a sign that Sata is failing to run the zambian economy and is now scapegoating. SANCTONS? Where? This oaf needs re-education. Instead he must appeal to relevant people to stop corruption on a massive scale in Zimbabwe. Iran is under sanctions but it is far better than us who are nor under sanctions and also ‘looking East! as an alternative to the ‘evil’ West. Chikwanda wake up….or ask if you are in the dark!!
What economic sanctions!!????
Chikwanda is just a buffoon!!
Which sanctions Mr Minister? self-inflicted injuries are there barriers to growth?
Parochial swan song to please an audience.
Just another Zambian idiot which sanctions affect Zambia
The argument by some people who don’t even give a hoot about the suffering of ordinary Zimbabweans caused by sanctions invited on the country by the MDC and their friends for regime change that the are no sanctions on Zimbabwe know fully well that it is now a thread- bare one peddled by enemies of the country. The United nations , the only organisation that sanctions sanctions on member states did not see any reason to impose sanctions on the country. Some of the organisations/countries which imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe such as the EU have openly conceded that sanctions are not hurting the ” targeted” persons, but ordinary Zimbabweans and that regime change has failed. Who, then, has the authority to say that there are no sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe when those who put sanctions on the country are saying otherwise? It takes people who have been to Zimbabwe and with hearts of flesh and brains between their ears to accept facts as they are.
Why then are Botswana & Mozambique flourishing economically? Sata is a Mugabe clone with his party even having a similar name to ZPF, i.e. Patriotic Front. Before Sata took over as president Zambia was also flourishing economically. This was even evident in the smaller towns in Zambia.