Responding to the Zanu PF Motion on Sanctions tabled in the House of Assembly on the 16th October 2013
This motion seeks to support the view adopted by Zanu PF as a principle propaganda platform that the ills of the Zimbabwean economy are totally attributable to the "illegal sanctions imposed by the West on the country". As a sub target they are claiming that the MDC is responsible for the imposition of sanctions and are therefore "responsible" for the effect of sanctions on the country.
The MDC dealt with this motion very effectively on the day it was tabled in the House and had Zanu PF panicking in response. We can do more damage with a well crafted response in ensuing weeks. Our policy position is very clear:
Under the Global Political Agreement we agreed to seek the removal of all restrictions on both individuals and companies that had been imposed as a consequence of violations of human and political rights in the period from 1997 to 2002. We did so during the life of the Government of National Unity and this effort saw significant progress in this arena - a number of affected institutions and individuals had the restrictions on them lifted during the GNU; largely as a result of the efforts of the MDC and the notion that progress was being made with the national reform agenda outlined in the GPA.
In addition, solely as a result of the efforts made by MDC Ministers, a process of engagement with the multilaterals (the World bank, the International Monetary Fund and the African Development Bank) as well as the European Union were initiated and very significant progress made including the signing of an agreement with the IMF in May 2013 to initiate a "Staff Monitored Programme" which is the first step towards reengagement with the Fund and the commencement of talks on debt relief for the country.
The MDC remains committed to the complete withdrawal of restrictions on the leadership of Zanu PF and on certain institutions on the grounds that these restrictions have done little to advance the programme of essential reforms to the way the country is governed and instead are providing Zanu PF with a "Fig Leaf" which they are using to cover up their own shortcomings. However the MDC recognises that little progress can be made in this area so long as Zanu PF leadership continue to violate human and political rights and freedoms in Zimbabwe and continue to deny Zimbabweans the right to choose their leaders in free and fair elections that are compliant with all the SADC protocols guiding the conduct of elections in SADC countries.