US Imposes Sanctions on Zimbabwe’s President and Senior Leaders for Corruption and Human Rights Abuses

The United States has taken a strong stance against corruption and human rights abuses in Zimbabwe by imposing financial sanctions on President Emmerson Mnangagwa and several senior leaders.

Background

The new measure replaces a broader program that was introduced two decades ago. The White House stated that the government continues to witness gross abuses of political, economic, and human rights in Zimbabwe, citing instances of abductions, physical abuse, and unlawful killings that have left people living in fear.

Sanctions List

The sanctions list includes:

• First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa
• Vice President Constantino Chiwenga
• Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri
• Senior security officials from the national police and Central Intelligence Organisation
• Businesspeople found to have facilitated state corruption, including:
  • Presidential advisor Kudakwashe Tagwirei
  • His wife
  • Two of their businesses

Government Reaction

A spokesman for the Zimbabwean government described the lifting of the old sanctions program as a “great vindication of President Mnangagwa’s Foreign Policy” and called the new tariffs “illegal.” Farai Muroiwa Marapira, a spokesman for Mr. Mnangagwa’s ruling Zanu PF party, stated that if the president, first lady, and senior officials remain sanctioned, then Zimbabwe remains sanctioned and burdened by this illegality.

History of Sanctions

This is not the first time the US has imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe. The country was first targeted in the early 2000s when President Robert Mugabe and dozens of other high-ranking government officials were accused of undermining democracy in the country. Other countries such as the UK and European Union members have also placed sanctions on Zimbabwe.

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