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Zimbabweans should not be distracted from their focus on turning around the economy by the country’s enemies threatening to effect and strengthen illegal sanctions on the country.

The recent resolution by the European Union (EU) Parliament for the block to effect and strengthen sanctions on Zimbabwe should instead spur Zimbabweans to work hard to bust the sanctions and turn around the economy.

The EU has decided to ignore calls by the Southern African Development Community and other progressive forces to lift sanctions on Zimbabwe. The Sadc chairperson and Namibian President Dr Hage Geingob recently called upon the international community to unconditionally lift all sanctions imposed on the country.

“Sadc expresses its solidarity with the Government and the people of the Republic of Zimbabwe and calls upon the international community to unconditionally lift all sanctions imposed on the country,” he said.

Dr Geingob also condemned the recent opposition-led protests that rocked Harare, Bulawayo and other parts of the country leading to mass looting of shops and arson.

Botswana and South African Presidents have also called for the lifting of the embargoes against Zimbabwe saying it is extremely difficult for Zimbabwe to operate a modern economy without accessing lines of credit.

Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi said there was need to appreciate the complexity of the situation in Zimbabwe.

South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa has also called on the EU to lift sanctions on Zimbabwe saying the country has turned a wonderful corner and needs support on its path to great reforms.

Zimbabwe has been under illegal Western sanctions for nearly 20 years and this has adversely affected economic growth.

President Ramaphosa called on EU leaders to lift the sanctions on Zimbabwe during the recent 7th South Africa European Union Summit in Brussels, Belgium. It is unfortunate that the EU seems determined to continue punishing innocent citizens based on falsehoods peddled by the private media and NGOs working to effect a regime change in the country.

What is, however, comforting is that the Government has made significant headway in dealing head-on with various challenges affecting the economy and what is needed is commitment from each and every Zimbabwean.

People should not be distracted by goons celebrating the imposition of sanctions but should instead work hard to minimise the impact of these sanctions.