[Zimbabwe\Economic Embargo\COVID-19]
Zimbabwe, which has not been spared by the ravaging effects of Covid-19, is presently reeling under economic sanctions that were imposed by Western countries and the United States as a form of punishment against its Land Reform programme.
Photo: YouTube
African countries and China have called on countries that have imposed illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe to lift the debilitating economic embargo so as to enable the country to fight the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
In a joint statement, the virtual Extraordinary China-Africa Summit In Solidarity against Covid-19 that was held on Wednesday this week noted that African countries require assistance to fight the global disease that has brought economies to a screeching halt and killed more than 400 000 people.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa participated in the virtual Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit that was co-chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Senegalese President Macky Sall.
“We underscore the close relationship between peace, security and development, and call on the international community to support Africa in implementing its ‘Silencing the Guns’ campaign and urge for an early lifting of economic sanctions on Zimbabwe and Sudan,” reads the statement.
Zimbabwe, which has not been spared by the ravaging effects of Covid-19, is presently reeling under economic sanctions that were imposed by Western countries and the United States as a form of punishment against its Land Reform programme.
Although some countries like the US have ignored the Second Republic rapprochement efforts, it is gaining support from many African countries and also China.
According to the joint statement, there is need to bolster co-operation between African states and China so as to win the war against Covid-19.
“We recognise the importance of public health issues to global peace and security and the well-being of people around the world, particularly the fact that Africa is extremely vulnerable to the ravages of this virus and needs solidarity and support, including resources from various parties to bolster its response to the pandemic and to support its economic and social development,” said the statement.
In his address to the summit, President Mnangagwa had called for multilateralism against unilateralism that is being pursued by some nations, even when time requires solidarity and cooperation.
This was reaffirmed in the joint statement which commended and supported “the United Nations Secretary-General’s call for a united response to Covid-19, and commit to jointly safeguard global public health security, protect the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, make greater contribution to world peace and development, and build a community of health for all”.
This comes as the United States has withdrawn support towards critical organisations in the fight against Covid-19 such as the World Health Organisation (WHO).
For the rest of this The Herald story log on to: https://www.herald.co.zw/china-africa-forum-renews-call-to-lift-sanctions-on-harare/
