Zimbabwe and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) commemorated SADC Anti-Sanctions Day on October 25, 2026, with renewed and intensified calls for the immediate and unconditional lifting of sanctions imposed on the country. Acting Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Professor Paul Mavima, emphatically stated that the sanctions are unjustified, unfair, and illegal, having been based on fabrications. Speaking at the commemorations in Bindura, Minister Mavima reiterated Zimbabwe’s commitment to its economic transformation agenda, aiming for upper middle-income economy status by 2030 through strengthened international partnerships and domestic production. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as SADC Chairperson, also issued a statement on SADC Anti-Sanctions Day, calling for the complete and unconditional lifting of sanctions, emphasizing that these measures create an additional burden for Zimbabwe amidst global challenges. The African Union (AU) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have also backed these calls, warning that sanctions could disrupt medical supplies, undermine healthcare financing, and restrict access to life-saving services in Zimbabwe.
Key Players Involved
- President Emmerson Mnangagwa: Zimbabwean President, whose government is pushing for the lifting of sanctions.
- Professor Paul Mavima: Zimbabwe’s Acting Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, who spoke at the commemorations.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa: President of South Africa and Chairperson of SADC, who issued a statement supporting the lifting of sanctions.
- SADC: The Southern African Development Community, which established Anti-Sanctions Day in 2019 and continues to advocate for their removal.
- African Union & Africa CDC: Continental bodies that have called for the immediate lifting of sanctions, citing their impact on healthcare and economic development.
Event Timeline
- October 25, 2026: SADC Anti-Sanctions Day observed, with official statements and commemorations in Zimbabwe and across the SADC region.
