Gabriel Chaibva Apologises For "Lobbying For Satanic Illegal Economic Sanctions"
Gabriel Chaibva, a former legislator for the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), has apologised for his role in lobbying for the imposition of sanctions on Zimbabwe which he describes as satanic and illegal.
The Western Community – the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Union and their allies, imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe at the turn of the millennium citing gross human rights violations during the fast track land reform programme sanctioned by Robert Mugabe’s admistration.
The opposition MDC that was still in its infant stages reportedly played a part in the imposition of the restrictive measures that left Zimbabwe isolated from the international community.
Chaibva, who has since defected to the ruling ZANU PF, says he now regrets playing a part. In a statement, seen by Pindula News, chaibva said sanctions must fall. He said:
Dear Zimbabweans,
l am sorry for playing a part in lobbying for satanic illegal economic sanctions.This gave us millions at the expense of millions of ordinary Zimbabweans whose livelihoods continue to deteriorate. The damage caused in 2 decades is immeasurable
#SANCTIONSMUSTFALL.
His remarks echo sentiments by the ruling party, his new home, and the United Nations that sanctions have an adverse impact on the citizenry.
The West, however, deny the allegations that sanctions are responsible for the collapse of the Zimbabwean economy reckoning it is rather poor governance by the ruling party.
They say grand corruption and poor policies have contributed much to the demise of a once vibrant economy.
They say a return to good governance and upholding of the rule of law is the only condition for the removal of sanctions.
Pro-State analysts say the sanctions have less to do with human rights abuses but Western interests. They say there have been gross human rights abuses in the southern African country, especially in the 1980s, when when an estimated 20 000 people were massacred during gukurahundi in Matabeleland and Midlands but there was no rebuke from the West.
