U.S. President Joseph Biden has extended sanctions against Zimbabwe, saying the African nation had not resolved its political crisis.
Biden’s announcement came on Thursday saying President Emmerson Mnangagwa has not made the necessary political and economic reforms that would warrant terminating the existing targeted sanctions program.
“Throughout the last year, government security services routinely intimidated and violently repressed citizens, including members of opposition political parties, union members, and journalists,” Biden said in a message to the U.S Congress on the Continuation of the National Emergency with respect to Zimbabwe
“The absence of progress on the most fundamental reforms needed to ensure the rule of law, democratic governance, and the protection of human rights leaves Zimbabweans vulnerable to ongoing repression and presents a continuing threat to peace and security in the region.”
White House said the actions and policies of certain members of the Government of Zimbabwe and other persons to undermine Zimbabwe’s democratic processes or institutions continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States.
The U.S accused the Zimbabwean government of making little progress in implementing the broad reforms the country needs.
“Therefore, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13288, as amended, with respect to Zimbabwe and to maintain in force the sanctions to respond to this threat,” Biden added.
The U.S on March 6, 2003, issued Executive Order ordering the blocking of the property of additional persons who were said to be undermining democratic processes or institutions in Zimbabwe.
On July 25, 2008, the U.S expanded the scope and authorized the blocking of the property of additional persons further said to be undermining democratic processes or institutions in Zimbabwe.
