Scores rally against ‘evil’ Western sanctions in Zimbabwe

The streets of Harare, Zimbawe has been thronged with angry protesters calling on the United States of America, and the European Union to lift what they said is ‘evil’ sanctions on President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other top government officials.

According to reports, rallies which were ignited in Harare on Friday, was part of a government-organised day of action to denounce Western sanctions, which Mnangagwa says have “crippled” Zimbabwe’s development.

Mnangagwa had declared Friday a public holiday, and government supporters from across the country were bussed into the capital early in the morning to protest sanctions imposed against him and dozens of other officials over alleged human rights abuses and electoral fraud.

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Clad in white t-shirts, Mnangagwa’s supporters sang songs and chanted “down with sanctions” as they kicked off the “Anti-Sanctions Day” with a rally from the Robert Mugabe square to the national sports stadium, a five-kilometre (three-mile) walk.

While speaking with his supporters on Friday, Mnangagwa blamed the sanctions for Zimbabwe’s economic crisis, which is characterised by high inflation and an acute shortage of foreign currency.

“The continued judgment setting of Utopian standards for Zimbabwe are callous, vindictive and should not be allowed to continue. We say enough is enough,” he told a cheering crowd at the stadium.

His supporters agreed; “We are tired of this life,” said Takudzwa Chipare, a Harare resident.

“We are trying to work very hard but things are tough. I think if they remove the sanctions, life can improve.”

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