US Government congratulates Zimbabwe on 40th Independence Anniversary...

As Sanctions continue to bite the Southern African nation.

The United States government today issued a congratulatory message to the people and government of the Republic of Zimbabwe on the occassion of the Southern African nation's 40th Independence Anniversary.

In a statement by the US Department of State, Secretary Mike Pompeo said the United States stands with all those in Zimbabwe who strive toward the governance and economic reforms needed to usher in a new era of peace, prosperity, and democracy.

"On behalf of the United States government, I congratulate the Zimbabwean people on the 40th anniversary of your independence.“The United States supports the people of Zimbabwe, and I commend the many Zimbabweans who have displayed heroism and courage in the face of adversity.We stand with all those in Zimbabwe who strive toward the governance and economic reforms needed to usher in a new era of peace, prosperity, and democracy,” he said.

"As the people of Zimbabwe commemorate your Independence Day, we celebrate our people-to-people ties and look forward to the Government of Zimbabwe taking the necessary steps to allow for strengthened cooperation.”

But it takes two to tango doesn't it? The US State Department ends the statement by saying, ..."look forward to the people of Zimbabwe taking the necessary steps to allow for strengthened cooperation".

It is the view held by many that the US government has not been sincere in dealing with Zimbabwe.

The Zimbabean government under the present leadership of President Mnangagwa has instituted a number of political and economic reforms which still stand today as firm foundation and solid sign of commitment to reforms and re-engangement.These reforms include electoral,legislative , constitutional and financial to mention but a few.

What any fair minded person would expect the United States government to show reciprocity at a motivation to the Zimbabwean government to do more.

In 2018 Zimbabwe held a credible election which displayed unprecedented and unmatched transparency. The country has paid all its obligations with the IMF to date.

Zimbabwe recently passed a law which allowed for former White commercial farmers to get full compensation for acquired land or to get back their land where it was still unoccupied.All these steps are in fulfillment of what Mike Pompeo described as ".... taking the necesaary steps to allow for strengthened cooperation".

But the US government in return rewards the people of Zimbabwe with renewed and tightened Sanctions every second month of each year.

This reflects badly on the US government as an insincere International partner to Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe does not need Aid or grants in order to progress but it needs a chance to trade freely and fairly with the world.Zimbabwe needs free direct access to the world Markets so that they get fair pricing for commodities.

This will allow Zimbabwe to meet its SDGs and basic human rights such as universal access to affordable healthcare.

But with Sanctions in place Zimbabwe will remain in a tight position where it can not provide basic needs of people.It can not provide basic social safety nets to cover up for the vulnerable groups of society.

Thus it is hoped that as Zimbabwe begins this journey into the future the US will find reason to lift this embargo and allow the country to rebuild it's broken economic walls and boost the moral of its people.

-Political Bureau