SYDNEY MUBAIWA
HARARE- Pan African Parliament (PAP) President Chief Fortune Charumbira has said illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the Western countries continue to hurt the ordinary people while stifling progress in all sectors of the economy, hence the need for the embargo to be lifted as a matter of urgency.
In his statement during the SADC Anti -Sanctions Day commemorations, Chief Charumbira urged African Union member states to stand firm, united with a collective spirit of making sure that the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe are removed.
“Today the Pan African Parliament joins the Government and people of the Republic of Zimbabwe and the SADC Region at large in calling for the immediate and unconditional removal of the illegal economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe which have undermined the country’s development and caused untold suffering to its people,” he said.
He said Zimbabwe and its people have demonstrated unshakable resistance and unity of purpose in the face of these unwarranted sanctions which were imposed as a punitive measure after the country successfully reclaimed its land and heritage from the erstwhile colonial masters.
“We comment the SADC Region for standing firmly with Zimbabwe on this Anti-Sanctions Day and making a bold declaration that no country ever be held at ransom for asserting its sovereignty and reclaiming its heritage for the benefit of its people,” he said.
He said the country continues to move forward despite the illegal sanctions.
“”The lifting of sanctions will unlock the country’s unbridled potential and pave way for the country’s accelerated economic growth.
“As we commemorate the Anti-Sanctions Day we implore all the 55 Member States of African Union to be inspired by the Pan African spirit of “Ubuntu ” – The great African principle that asserts that “I am because we are”, motivated by this timeless value we must stand with Zimbabwe and reaffirm that none of us suffers or thrives in isolation ,” he said.
