U.S. extends Zimbabwe sanctions by a year

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa looks on at the swearing in of cabinet ministers at State House in Harare, Zimbabwe, December 4, 2017. In a statement by the White House, the US said Zimbabwe's government had missed an opportunity to implement long-overdue political and economic reforms. /Reuters Photo

The US has extended sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by one year and accused the county's leaders of economic mismanagement.

Sanctions could have been removed on Friday.

In a statement posted on theWhite House's websiteon Wednesday, the US said Zimbabwe's government had missed an opportunity to implement long-overdue political and economic reforms.

The US said that since former president Robert Mugabe left office in November 2017 PresidentEmmersonMnangagwa has "yet to signal credible political will to implement such reforms."

"Indeed, the Zimbabwean government has arguably accelerated its persecution of critics and economic mismanagement in the past year, during which security forces have conducted extrajudicial killings, rapes, and alleged abductions of numerous dissidents."

The US said some actions perpetrated by Zimbabwe's government continue to "pose an unusual and extraordinary threat" to US foreign policy.

On Thursday, Zimbabwe's government responded to the sanctions extension with rage. Foreign affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo accused the US of misrepresenting facts.

"We have noted with disappointment, but without surprise, the extension of US sanctions against Zimbabwe by a further 12 months. We disagree strongly with the assertion that our government has not demonstrated the political will to effect major reform," he said.

Zimbabwe has been under US sanctions since 2003.

Eighty-six officials and 56 companies linked to the ruling Zanu-PF party are restricted from financial and business relations with Washington.

Source(s): Business Live