The law, passed by the US Congress in 2001, is designed to provide for a transition to democracy and promote economic recovery in Zimbabwe. It was passed at the height of President Robert Mugabe’s flagrant abuse of human rights and destructive economic policies such as the chaotic and corrupt land grab.
ZDERA states that “it is the policy of the United States to support the people of Zimbabwe in their struggle to effect peaceful, democratic change, achieve broad-based and equitable economic growth and restoration of rule of law.” Zanu (PF) recently ran a violent nation-wide campaign in which it said it would gather two million signatures from Zimbabweans who purportedly object to the law.
Investigations have shown that many people, both in urban and rural areas, were being forced to sign the petition. United States Ambassador, Charles Ray, said his governments policy the policy would not be moved back even by an inch by Zanu (PF)’s political gimmick. “You have to ask yourselves if the issues which saw the passing of ZDERA have been addressed before you talk about repealing that law.
“If you do bad things to me and then I put punitive measures in place to stop you, what will it say to people who do bad if I just wake up and say I am removing the measures even though nothing has changed?” Ray asked. He refuted allegations by Zanu (PF) officials that the law targets all Zimbabweans.
Among other things, ZDERA says the US Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the United States executive director to each international financial institution to oppose and vote against any extension by the respective institution of any loan, credit, or guarantee. This section has never been implemented as the government of Zimbabwe has never applied for any such loan, credit or guarantee.
“Zimbabwe has not applied for financial assistance to these international institutions so the section concerning opposing votes for that has never been put to the test. Therefore, complaints against the law cannot be justified. The law has not negatively impacted on Zimbabwe,” said Ray.
Post published in: News