United States-based Zimbabwean academic Dr. Chipo Dendere has sparked controversy after calling on the US government to impose more targeted sanctions on Zimbabwe’s political elites, citing ongoing human rights abuses, corruption, and democratic backsliding.
Speaking during a panel discussion on African governance at a policy forum in Washington, Dendere said the current sanctions are “too soft” and have failed to compel Zimbabwe’s leadership to pursue meaningful reform.
Critics have accused her of encouraging foreign interference and worsening the plight of ordinary Zimbabweans, while others have praised her for speaking boldly about a regime they say has escaped real accountability for too long.
