CITIZENS against Economic Sanctions (CAES) Zimbabwe recently held an anti-sanctions awareness campaign in Bindura, Mashonaland Central province, as part of its continued national mobilisation effort against the embargo imposed on the country by the United States and its allies.
The event, which was aimed at highlighting the impact of sanctions on Zimbabwe’s socio-economic development, brought together national and provincial leaders alongside local community members.
In March 2024, the United States terminated its country-specific sanctions programme against Zimbabwe, but imposed targeted sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.
The United States government emphasised that the measures, which are directed at specific individuals and entities, not the Zimbabwean populace, aimed to enforce accountability and encourage reforms in governance and human rights practices.
Speaking during the anti-sanctions campaign, CAES executive director and founder Martin Mapanganyika Zharare said the sanctions affected the country’s economic sovereignty.
“The illegal sanctions imposed on our country are a deliberate attempt to weaken our economy and frustrate our development trajectory,” he said.
“But as CAES, we remain firm in our conviction that Zimbabwe shall overcome.”
The organisation’s national secretary for religion Aleta Mutsvangwa emphasised the role of faith-based communities in resisting sanctions and promoting unity across the country.
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“Churches are not immune to the impact of sanctions,” she said.
“Congregants are struggling, pastors are struggling and development is stifled.
“We must pray, speak out and stand united as citizens of Zimbabwe.”
CAES Harare provincial chairperson Alice Musarurwa urged women across the country to play an active role in anti-sanctions advocacy and education.
“Women carry the burden of sanctions everyday, in the market, in the home and in raising children under economic hardships. We must be bold and educate others about the suffering these sanctions are causing,” she said.
CAES Mashonaland Central provincial youth chairperson Annah Dandara said the youth had a pivotal role to play in fighting sanctions.
“As the youth of Zimbabwe, we are not spectators in this struggle. Sanctions affect our education, our employment prospects and our future. We are ready to take the lead in raising awareness and defending our nation’s dignity,” she said.
Echoing similar sentiments, CAES vice youth chairperson Last Chigariro urged his peers to be proactive and informed.
“Sanctions are not just numbers in a report, they are felt in our schools, hospitals and homes. The youth must become ambassadors of the truth in their communities,” he said.
Chief Chipadze said many Zimbabweans were suffering from the effects of sanctions.
“Our people are suffering because of the sanctions. We thank CAES for coming to Bindura and we pledge to stand with them in this noble fight,” he said.
The campaign is part of CAES Zimbabwe’s ongoing nationwide outreach aimed at educating citizens on the socio-economic effects of sanctions and mobilising collective action for their removal.
