Zimbabwe has reported significant economic losses attributed to sanctions imposed by the U.S. and Western countries, amounting to over US$42 billion, according to Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi [19564d76]. These sanctions, which were introduced in the early 2000s, have severely crippled economic growth and adversely affected the livelihoods of citizens. Ziyambi argues that these sanctions serve as a political tool aimed at destabilizing Zimbabwe, impacting the private sector and leading to job losses and reduced productivity.
While the U.S. and European Union maintain that their sanctions target specific individuals undermining democracy, the Zimbabwean government insists that the sanctions are broad-based and harm the entire economy [19564d76]. A report from the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) supports Zimbabwe's claims regarding the detrimental effects of these sanctions. In response, Ziyambi has called for international support to lift the sanctions, labeling them as a form of economic warfare against the nation.
Critics of the Zimbabwean government, however, argue that the country's economic decline is primarily due to corruption and mismanagement rather than external sanctions [19564d76]. In recognition of the impact of sanctions, SADC has designated October 25 as Anti-Sanctions Day, emphasizing the need for dialogue and mutual respect in addressing these issues. The Zimbabwean government continues to seek constructive dialogue with Western nations to address the sanctions and their economic implications, advocating for a collaborative approach to foster recovery and growth [19564d76].