Botswana supports calls to lift targeted sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and calls the United States’ move to partially lift restrictions “encouraging.”
Addressing the media in Gaborone on Wednesday, Botswana President Mokwezi Masisi said further dialogue was needed between Zimbabwe and the United States to completely lift sanctions.
“It’s very, very encouraging that some of our calls are finally being answered, which will help Botswana get these things done and facilitate dialogue on aspects that Americans find offensive to Zimbabwe,” Masisi said. “We want to encourage The two sides meet to discuss issues that remain to be resolved so that a country is not subject to sanctions.”
But Zimbabwean political analyst Rein Ngwenya said talks on lifting restrictions entirely would only be possible if Harare met Washington’s conditions.
“If sanctions are to be lifted unconditionally, it means the country must be governed unconditionally. We don’t want corruption, we don’t want the opposition to be harassed, we want a free country,” Ngwenya told the media. Until all of these things are ironed out, I don’t think Americans are likely to be willing to sit down and negotiate anything. We should all be fair. We are not happy with this situation, but our government should do its part. “
The United States began imposing sanctions on certain Zimbabwean officials and companies in 2003, accusing the government of then-President Robert Mugabe of election-rigging and human rights abuses.
Although the United States lifted many restrictions this week, current President Emmerson Mnangagwa, his wife and some senior government officials remain under sanctions.
Washington cited human rights abuses and corruption as reasons for extending the restrictions.
Moeti Mohwasa, spokesman for Botswana’s main opposition coalition Umbrella Democratic Change (UDC), said the lifting of sanctions was fair.
Mowasa said: “We consider this a welcome development because the biggest victims are ordinary citizens who have to endure the economic hardship caused by sanctions and deal with the atrocities and abuses committed against them by the regime. We all Know the people behind politics.” and economic abuse in Zimbabwe. The United States should not shy away from the situation in Zimbabwe. It is deeply unfair to subject ordinary Zimbabweans to double jeopardy. “
Zimbabwe’s government said the sanctions were unfounded, defamed the country and denied its leaders due process.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the remaining restrictions on President Mnangagwa and other officials were part of a stronger, more narrowly targeted sanctions policy.
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