US Threatens More Sanctions For Zimbabwe

…says human rights abusers must be identified.

THE United States (US) Department of State Sanctions Coordinator, James O'Brien has warned that the US might add more Zimbabwean names on its sanctions list if human rights violations persist ahead of the 2023 polls.

In a digital press briefing at the Africa Media Hub on Wednesday, Mr O’Brien said sanctions against Zimbabwean leaders and entities linked to the State would not be removed if human rights abuses are not stopped.

“People who commit human rights abuses should be identified. We are going to review our sanctions on Zimbabwe to make sure that they are current. If these individuals continue to be violent, [perpetrating] human rights abuses and corruption — there would be additional interest in extending the list as well,” O’Brien said.

US Sanctions Policy and Implementation director Jill Millinax said the measures were targeted at human rights abusers.

“We use these sanctions programmes to disrupt the activities of human rights abusers, terrorists and other bad actors’ ability to undermine democracy, to stoke instability and to provoke violence. The ultimate goal of our sanctions, I have to say, is not to punish these individuals but to bring about a positive change in behaviour,” Millinax said.

Recently, the US Department of State issued a statement saying they were removing 11 individuals on their sanctions list. Contacted for comment yesterday, Zanu PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu declined to comment on the matter.

Christopher Mutsvangwa the ZANU-PF party spokesperson said:

“We have two unprepared US diplomats coming to talk about sanctions.  They have not even read their stuff; they have not even read ZDERA [Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act] on which they administer sanctions. You have to understand who America is in the United Nations — they are a supreme power and the biggest contributor to the UN budget. If you put your money into the UN — read their documents when they come out.”

There are growing calls for action amid growing political instability which is evidenced by the incarceration of opposition leaders like CCC members Sikhala, Sithole and the Nyatsime 14. Violence is also on the upsurge with incidences reported in Bulilima, Insiza, Nyatsime, Chirumhanzu and Bulawayo in the last seven days.