The United States of America Government says its stance on Zimbabwe has not changed, despite the flexing of sanctions.
Through its embassy in Harare, the American government said Zimbabwe should work hard to ensure that democratic values are respected.
US Chargé d’affaires Elaine French speaking to Citezw, urged the government of Zimbabwe to take meaningful strides in fostering an open, accountable, and democratic governance system.
On March 4, 2024, US President Joe Biden terminated the US Zimbabwe sanctions program, unblocking all individuals, entities and property that had been blocked under that authority.
Concurrently, the US imposed Global Magnitsky sanctions on 11 individuals and three entities that had been blocked under the now-repealed Zimbabwe program.
In doing so, OFAC also made clear that it would continue with investigations or enforcement actions for apparent violations of the Zimbabwe sanctions while they were in effect.
In a move that the US said was intended to “refocus” the US sanctions related to Zimbabwe to “make clear” that they are “not intended to target the people of Zimbabwe” but rather, are intended to impact certain “clear and specific targets,” President Biden terminated the national emergency regarding Zimbabwe that was first declared by President George W. Bush in Executive Order 13228 from 2003.
As a result of the revocation, all of the individuals, entities, and property that had been blocked under the Zimbabwe sanctions program became unblocked, except those that were simultaneously re-designated under Global Magnitsky.
The Zimbabwe Sanctions Regulations, further, have been removed from the Code of Federal Regulations.
Moreover, by revoking the underlying legal authorities for the Zimbabwe sanctions, the US has removed several Zimbabwe-specific bases for the imposition of sanctions, such as for being a Zimbabwe government official, or for being owned or controlled by, or providing material and other support to, the government of Zimbabwe.
