In essence I firmly believe that sanctions were always symbolic and never had any real practical impact. The only economic sanctions were in terms of ZDERA voting bans at the WB and IMF.
But even those were symbolic because Zimbabwe had already been suspended from the IMF for defaulting on loans, and now the US has allowed us back in any event. When the EU imposed the freezes they gave several months notice and most of those affected shifted their money out well before the sanctions were imposed, so were never affected. As for targeted travel bans against top Zanu (PF) persons, I think even if they were lifted many would not dare travel to London for fear of the paparazzi. In any event, they have continued to travel to most places in the world.
The irony is that now sanctions are most effectively being used by Zanu (PF) itself to prevent implementation of key areas of the GPA. Take the governors issue for example. If the governors were changed, overnight land invasions and other nonsense in half the country would stop, or at least greatly diminish because most of this is directed through the governors.
Zanu has now linked the installation of governors to sanctions at the same time the same people who are calling for sanctions to go continue to beat up MDC members, farmers and others deliberately knowing that this inflames opinion in the West. By their very actions they ensure that sanctions will not be lifted and thus prevent key elements of the GPA from being implemented.
So I believe that sanctions provide a very useful tool for some in Zanu (PF) and these hardliners are quite happy for them to remain in place! We are simply kidding ourselves if we think they actually harm the partys hierarchy. They continue to enjoy the high life in Zimbabwe and the sanctions have not acted as any restraint on them since they were imposed some eight years ago. So I believe they have served their purpose and must now go.
This is a highly emotional topic but we must think strategically. I have certainly not forgotten who my electorate are. On the contrary I have a duty to act in their best interests and my view is that their best interests will be served if this excuse for not implementing critical parts of the GPA is removed.
And it is no good complaining that Zanu (PF) have no right to impose this condition of course that is the case but that is the political reality and in the absence of SADC taking the firm decisions they should have we simply must act proactively ourselves.
DAVID COLTART, Bulawayo
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