Day: March 12, 2022

The Chairman of Pan African Forum Dr David Matsanga has called on the international community to lift sanctions against Zimbabwe stating the restrictions are hurting the southern African Nation.

Matsanga termed the sanctions as illegal and assured Zimbabwe of his continued advocacy to ensure that the restrictions are lifted.

“The illicit perpetual sanctions against Zimbabwe has become hallmark of the West’s injudicious mobocracy and sanctimony that has excruciatingly pummeled the lives of Zimbabweans from flesh to bone.

“These senseless sanctions have caused anguish, abject poverty, despair and an economic meltdown that can only border crimes against humanity. Africa should not leave Zimbabwe in the lurch, we must call for the removal of these sanctions” he said.

The international conflict resolution expert said the sanctions are exacerbating corruption in Zimbabwe as banks, companies and individuals banned from trading abroad simply bribe others to conduct their business for them.

“I call on all countries which imposed sanctions as well as banks and companies of third states as well as countries where these banks are registered, to behave in accordance with the rule of law, due diligence, principal, lift sanctions, make legislation which corresponds with international law and principals of human rights protection. And the last point is that all the discrepancies which exist between all parties, between states, between the government and some sort of opposition leaders and any other institutions shall be settled on the basis of structural dialogue,” Matsanga added.

Zimbabwe’s former President Robert Mugabe passed away more than two years ago. The new government thinks it’s high time the human rights sanctions imposed decades ago, during his regime, are removed.

In September 2019, the ministry of foreign affairs and international trade hired the London-based subsidiary of US lobbying firm Mercury Public Affairs to lobby for a fresh start under President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The European Union imposed travel and financial sanction on allies of then-Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe in 2002, in response to alleged election rigging and human rights abuses by his party and government. The U.S. followed suit with sanctions in 2003.

President Mnangagwa’s government says the sanctions must be lifted, arguing they are derailing the country’s efforts to climb out of a long economic slump.

In October last year in separate statements, the United States, Britain, and the European Union said Zimbabwe’s economy was suffering not because of sanctions, but because of corruption and government mismanagement of the country’s resources.

Source: Nam News Network

The Government of Japan has allocated USD 19.9 million to support the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) humanitarian operations in 2022. With this funding, IOM will implement projects to help vulnerable migrants, including displaced persons, refugees, returnees and communities affected by COVID-19, conflicts and crises worldwide.

Projects implemented by IOM through this funding are committed to an array of key migration-related issues. As the world grapples with multiple conflicts, natural disasters and COVID-19, humanitarian assistance for migrants and communities to support safe and orderly migration is urgently required.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, where more than 60 per cent of the funding is to be utilized, IOM is implementing emergency responses to natural disasters, displacement, and the pandemic.

In Asia, emergency assistance and enhancement of public health will be the main focus of IOM projects responding to COVID-19.

In the Middle East and North Africa, Japan-funded projects are expected to meet increasing demand for assistance for vulnerable populations, including internally displaced persons (IDPs).

“IOM is very grateful for the Government of Japan’s generous, longstanding support that will ensure the continuation of much-needed programmes and initiatives that will help mitigate ongoing global migration and other challenges,” said IOM Director General, António Vitorino.

“With this funding, IOM will continue to provide essential life-saving assistance to those who need it the most.”

IOM’s Japan-funded programmes include improving the capacities of the governments for integrated border management and building governments’ health response capacity, especially at points of entry and in border areas. With COVID-19 still prevalent in many parts of the world, especially in conflict-affected regions, displaced populations are increasingly at risk. Japan’s generous contribution will allow IOM to mitigate such negative impacts and help kickstart rebuilding efforts.?

Source: International Organization for Migration