WASHINGTON DC – The United States announced on Monday the reimposition of sanctions on nine individuals and three entities in Zimbabwe, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa, citing their involvement in corruption and human rights abuses.
This move comes as part of the Biden administration‘s efforts to target specific individuals and entities responsible for perpetuating corruption and violating human rights in Zimbabwe.
The decision was formalized through an executive order signed by President Joe Biden, which terminates Zimbabwe’s national emergency and revokes Zimbabwe-specific sanctions.
The administration will now utilize a Trump-era executive order that implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act as the authority for issuing the sanctions.
Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo emphasized that the sanctions are not intended to harm the people of Zimbabwe but to target individuals directly involved in corruption and human rights abuses.
Adeyemo stated, “Today we are refocusing our sanctions on clear and specific targets: President Mnangagwa’s criminal network of government officials and businesspeople who are most responsible for corruption or human rights abuse against the people of Zimbabwe.”
The sanctions target key figures such as First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, businessman Kudakwashe Regimond Tagwirei, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, and Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri, among others.
Entities like Sakunda Holdings, Fossil Agro, and Fossil Contracting have also been included in the sanctions list.
United States sanctions on Zimbabwe explained
According to the U.S. Treasury, President Mnangagwa is implicated in corrupt activities, particularly related to gold and diamond smuggling networks.
The sanctions aim to disrupt these networks and hold accountable those responsible for undermining democratic norms and violating human rights.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscored the targeted nature of the sanctions, stating, “Key individuals, including members of the government of Zimbabwe, bear responsibility for these actions, including the looting of government coffers that robs Zimbabweans of public resources.”
However, Zimbabwean government spokesman Nick Mangwana criticized the sanctions, stating that they undermine President Mnangagwa’s foreign policy efforts.
Mangwana emphasized that as long as Zimbabwean leaders and entities remain under sanctions, the country continues to face economic challenges.
The reimposition of sanctions reflects ongoing concerns about democratic backsliding, human rights abuses, and government corruption in Zimbabwe.
The United States hopes that these measures will encourage the Zimbabwean government to undertake key reforms to improve governance, protect human rights, and combat corruption.