HARARE, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday pleaded with the West to remove economic sanctions on the Southern African country.
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Mnangagwa said that the embargo, which was imposed at the turn of the century after Zimbabwe embarked on land reforms, was not only holding back economic development but also a violation of human rights.
The European Union and the United States imposed targeted sanctions on the country, ostensibly to push for the upholding of the rule of law and human rights, among other reasons.
The sanctions, which include trade restrictions and withdrawal of bilateral and multilateral financial support, are estimated to have cost the country about 100 billion U.S. dollars.
Mnangagwa,who took over the presidency from Robert Mugabe in 2017, said the country wanted to open a new leaf and improve relations with all nations so that it re-integrates into the global family of nations.
He said his government was now more focused on reviving the economy and development in general, but its efforts were being constrained by the West's longstanding sanctions, official news agency New Ziana reported Thursday.
"Zimbabwe is in transition and determined to overcome the reality that we were a collapsed economy with a collapsed currency, due to the illegal economic sanctions imposed on our economy. Since I took over the leadership of Zimbabwe, much has been accomplished with indicative recovery, stabilization and growth," he said.
"These achievements are in spite of the albatross of the illegal economic sanctions. These sanctions constitute a denial of the human rights of the people of Zimbabwe to develop and improve their quality of life. Furthermore, the sanctions are slowing down our progress,
inhibiting our economic recovery and punishing the poorest and most vulnerable," he added.
He enumerated what he said were some of the achievements the country had recorded across the board since he took over, such as budget surplus and wide ranging economic and political reforms.
Much more could have been realized, he said, had the country not been burdened by sanctions.
He applauded the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union, among others, for standing in solidarity with Zimbabwe over the sanctions.
SADC in August resolved to collectively help Zimbabwe and dedicated Oct. 25 this year as a day to collectively call for the removal of sanctions.
"My country applauds the Southern African Development Community, the African Union and all who stand with us in demanding the immediate and unconditional removal of these illegal sanctions. Those that imposed illegal sanctions must heed this call and lift them now," Mnangagwa said.
"Co-operation is a win-win game. Sanctions are a lose-lose game. Zimbabwe deserves a re-start," he implored.
He said despite the challenges that the sanctions and other factors such as drought posed, the government was pressing ahead with efforts to normalize the economy, and build and re-build new and old bridges with other nations.
"The task facing us is great, the road is long, winding and at times bumpy. But so is our potential and determination to succeed," he said.
