Low turnout for anti-sanctions march

THE “massive” march that Zimbabwe’s government tried to rouse for a new anti-sanctions public holiday appeared to fizzle yesterday as just hundreds of people turned out in the capital Harare, instead of the many thousands the ruling Zanu-PF had in mind.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government is blaming years of US sanctions for the devastating economic conditions – including galloping inflation and shortages of basic goods and services.

“Today we arise and collectively say enough is enough,” Mnangagwa said. “The illegal sanctions are an albatross to the development, well-being and prosperity of the people of Zimbabwe. We call on the US to immediately and conditionally remove the sanctions for the sake of our children.”

The US denies that sanctions against selected entities and officials, including Mnangagwa, are responsible for the nation’s crisis. Washington blames corruption, mismanagement and human rights violations instead, and it says the US is the biggest provider of humanitarian assistance to Zimbabwe, whose 300% inflation rate is the second highest in the world, after Venezuela.

The sanctions were imposed over alleged human rights violations amid troubled elections and the seizures of white-owned land.

Mnangagwa, who took office after Robert Mugabe was forced out in late 2017, at first urged Zimbabweans to “stop mourning” about sanctions. The US Embassy on Friday tweeted a photograph of a newspaper headline quoting his statement at the time.

At the march yesterday, many seats in the national stadium were empty as most Zimbabweans chose to stay away from the event, which had been billed as a mega-festival. |

MUKWAZHI AP MEMBERS of a church group take selfies during the anti-sanctions protest in Harare yesterday. Hundreds of people marched to protest US sanctions that the Zimbabwean government blames for the country’s worsening economic problems. | TSVANGIRAYI