A United States government official said the Zimbabwe Development and Economic Recovery Act (ZDERA) is not a sanction.
ZDERA was signed into law on 21 December 2001 by then United States President George W. Bush in response to Zimbabwe’s “fast-track land reform” programme.
The Act restricted Zimbabwe’s participation in programs by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Monetary Fund. It also resulted in the suspension of structural loans, credits, and guarantees to the Zimbabwean government.
Speaking at a press conference at Crowne Plaza in Harare on Wednesday, 06 March, Laurence Socha, the Chargé d’Affaires at the United States Embassy in Zimbabwe said that Zimbabwe’s economic problems were caused by mismanagement and widespread corruption, and not by ZDERA. He said:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Development and Economic Recovery Act has not changed. But ZDERA is not a sanction. We have never invoked ZDERA to oppose international financial institutions from loans or debt restructuring.
It outlines, ZDERA outlines a clear roadmap for the government of Zimbabwe to access concessional financing and possible debt restructuring.
But this can only happen once the government of Zimbabwe has paid its outstanding debt arrears to the International Community. Messaging on ZDERA might be catchy, but ZDERA is not the problem.
ZDERA is not the cause of Zimbabwe’s economic troubles. Decades of economic mismanagement and widespread corruption are, and they have directly caused lasting economic impacts.
</blockquote>
On Monday, 04 March, the U.S. government sanctioned President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, and 9 other influential Zimbabweans under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.
The U.S. government accuses Mnangagwa and the other 10 sanctioned individuals of egregious corruption and violating human rights.
Responding to a question about why the U.S. government decided to impose targetted sanctions on certain individuals at this point, Socha said:
<blockquote>
President Biden has determined that the authorities in the executive orders that he signed that implement the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act is the best approach to address human rights and corruption concerns in Zimbabwe.
The US has made regular adjustments to the previously now terminated Zimbabwe sanctions program including adding and removing individuals based on available evidence. U.S. sanctions are not intended to be permanent.
Our sanctions are most effective when they are up to date and reflect realities on the ground and that’s why we made the change this time.
</blockquote>
Socha reiterated the U.S. government’s stance that there are no sanctions on the people of Zimbabwe or its public. He said:
<blockquote>
There are no sanctions on the people of Zimbabwe or its public. I think it’s important to realize that the security and prosperity of a country are not dependent on one individual alone.
The 11 individuals and three entities that are now sanctioned under Global Magnitsky have been determined to be responsible for corruption and human rights abuses.
But I want to leave you with this. We see this as an opportunity. We know it’s an opportunity. We see it as an opening.
We see it as an opportunity for the Government of Zimbabwe to make good on the democratic reforms that it says 
it’s committed to. We see it as an opportunity for business to have a new look at Zimbabwe.
It was hard under the previous program titled the Zimbabwe Sanctions Program to get away from perceptions that you could not do business in Zimbabwe. That’s not true.
And so we hope that business and financial institutions have a new look at Zimbabwe’s markets and connections with its people.
But lastly, we see this as an opening for a constructive relationship between the people of the United States and Zimbabwe so that all 16 million people here have the opportunity to prosper.
</blockquote>
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ZDERA Is Not A Sanction, Says U.S. Official

<h2>Full statement by the Deputy Chief Secretary (Presidential Communications), Office of the President and Cabinet, George Charamba on U.S. sanctions on Zimbabwe issued on 06 March 2024:</h2>
<blockquote>
Zimbabwe has been under the United States of America’s formal illegal sanctions since 2001 when the so-called Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act, ZDERA, was promulgated by America as part of a raft of reprisals for Zimbabwe’s legal Land Reform Programme, and as an open and frontal challenge to Zimbabwe’s sovereignty as a fully-fledged independent African Nation under the United Nations Charter.
That heinous Act which the United States of America passed unilaterally, and outside the confines and auspices of international law and the United Nations respectively, was given effect through a series of equally illegal Executive Orders by successive Presidents of the US, by which the US Government sought to make laws and punitive policies for a sovereign African State with which it shares neither common geography nor history, and against which it has no defensible legal case. All those measures were illegal and unjustified then; they remain so to this very day and until they are unconditionally dropped.
The announcement two days ago, on 4th March 2024, by US President Joseph R. Biden, purporting to rescind all illegal Executive Orders passed by his predecessors since March 6, 2003, some 21 years later after these debilitating sanctions against our Nation, can never atone for, let alone write off, heinous crimes committed against Zimbabwe and her people through these illegal, blanket country; sanctions.
Noteworthy, these arbitrary US coercive measures against Zimbabwe were condemned by the United Nations as illegal, vindictive and unjustified under any pretext. Until now, the United States Government remained obdurate and indifferent.
Today Zimbabwe cannot be expected to thank or be grateful to President Biden and the US for announcing palliative measures towards finally rescinding an illegality and an outrage, even then at its own pace, perpetrated for more than two decades, and in flagrant violation of international law.
Nothing short of some prompt, unconditional removal in toto of those illegal coercive measures, including the infamous ZDERA, is acceptable to Zimbabwe and her long-abused, innocent people.
Further, Zimbabwe takes great exception to gratuitous slander, and defamatory remarks by officials of the Biden Administration against the sanctioned Zimbabwean leadership and its nationals. This slander has been repeated here on Zimbabwean soil by local staff of the United States Embassy.
What adds to the outrage is that these bald and damaging accusations, coldly and mechanically made through a pre-drafted standard text of high-handed pillory by the US, are not backed by any iota of evidence; nor do they follow any internationally recognized show of due process in competent courts.
We condemn these malicious statements as completely uncalled for, defamatory, provocative, and a continuation of wanton hostilities against Zimbabwe by the US Government.
We demand that the Biden Administration provides evidence in support of these gratuitous accusations, failure which the Administration must, without any further delay, withdraw them unconditionally.
It cannot be right, let alone a healthy basis for conducting international relations or building friendship, for a country, however mightily it views itself, to slander innocent nationals of other Nations, while also maligning those same Nations for daring to be independent and sovereign, and for reversing a baneful legacy of settler colonialism, in line with the United Nations Charter.
Might can never be right, or trash rights of Nations, however small, which are recognised as full members, under the United Nations Charter.
Zimbabwe reiterates its deep gratitude to the Southern Africa Development Community, SADC, the African Union, AU, the progressive world and the United Nations, UN, for supporting her just struggle against these illegal coercive US measures.
Zimbabwe urges these organizations, and all men and women of goodwill worldwide, to maintain the momentum against the so-called targeted sanctions, which in reality are country sanctions, and which must be removed in toto, and unconditionally.
Further, Zimbabwe extends solidarity to all peoples and Nations similarly affected by such illegal sanctions from any quarter, outside the framework of the United Nations.
As a government leading a country with pretensions to global leadership, the Biden Administration must lead by example in showing the rest of the world how to act in accord with international law, rather than acting arbitrarily, both at bilateral and global levels.
On its part, Zimbabwe will stand firm in defence of her hard-won sovereignty, and in pursuit of her chosen destiny, consistent with its policy of being a friend to all, and an enemy to none. No amount of sanctions or hostilities will deter or detract her from her chosen path.
</blockquote>
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Zimbabwe Responds To "Termination" Of Sanctions By United States Of America

Laurence Socha, the Chargé d’Affaires at the United States Embassy in Zimbabwe has said the primary goal of targetted sanctions is to bring about positive changes and behaviour.
On Monday, 04 March, the U.S. government sanctioned President Emmerson Mnangaga, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, and 9 other influential Zimbabweans under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.
The U.S. government accuses Mnangagwa and the other 10 sanctioned individuals of egregious corruption and violating human rights.
Responding to questions from journalists during a press conference at Crowne Plaza in Harare this Wednesday, 06 March, Socha said the U.S. sanctions are not intended to be permanent. He said:
<blockquote>
The 11 individuals and three entities sanctioned under the current Global Magnitsky designations are there for their flagrant human rights abuses and corrupt behaviour.
U.S. policy, our policy has not changed. Our policy on Zimbabwe supports the citizens of Zimbabwe and its democratic institutions. That has not changed.
But this is a shift in approach and it’s consistent with our focus on corrupt actors and human rights abusers. U.S. sanctions are not intended to be permanent.
One of the primary goals of U.S. sanctions is to bring about positive changes and behaviour.
That might take time, but we encourage the government of Zimbabwe, including members of the government named in these March 4th designations, to take concrete steps towards democratic reforms that they have said that they seek.
</blockquote>
The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act is a significant piece of legislation enacted in December 2016. It empowers the President of the United States to take specific actions against foreign individuals or entities engaged in human rights violations or corruption.
Sanctions under the Global Magnitsky programme aim to target systemic corruption and human rights abuse, including the networks that engage in, facilitate, or perpetuate sustained patterns of such illicit behaviour rather than incidental acts by individual targets.
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"The Goal Of U.S. Sanctions Is To Bring About Positive Changes And Behaviour"

The United States government has reiterated that sanctions against certain Zimbabweans in positions of power and influence are not targeted at the country or ordinary people.
On 04 February, United States President, Joe Biden, terminated the Zimbabwe Sanctions Programme which has been in effect since 2003.
That same day, the United States government imposed sanctions on 11 Zimbabweans and three companies for 
alleged corruption and human rights abuses.
Addressing journalists at Crowne Plaza in Harare this Wednesday, 06 March, Laurence Socha, the Chargé d’Affaires at the United States Embassy in Zimbabwe said the U.S. will ensure that its sanctions are targeted against individuals responsible for corruption and serious human rights abuses. He said:
<blockquote>
The United States is committed to upholding the core values of respect for human rights and responsible, transparent governance.
We have expressed and continue to have concerns regarding serious cases of human rights abuses and corruption in Zimbabwe.
On March 4th, President Biden signed an Executive Order terminating the Zimbabwe Sanctions Program which has been in effect since 2003.
That same day, the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (or OFAC) designated 11 individuals and three entities for their engagement in corruption and human rights abuses under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.
The United States is committed to ensuring our sanctions are timely, relevant, and targeted against individuals responsible for corruption and serious human rights abuses.
In Zimbabwe, we continue to witness gross abuses of political, economic, and human rights. The targeting of civil society and severe restrictions on political activity have stifled fundamental freedoms while key actors including government leaders have siphoned off government resources for personal gains.
Sanctions on these individuals and entities do not represent a sanction on Zimbabwe or its public. The United States reaffirms its commitment to working with the people of Zimbabwe.
This sanctions transition makes clear what has always been true. U.S. sanctions are not on the country of Zimbabwe. We are refocusing our sanctions on specific and clear individuals and entities.
We continue to urge the government of Zimbabwe to take concrete steps to more open and democratic governance including addressing corruption and protecting human rights.
</blockquote>
The 11 designated individuals are President Mnangagwa and his wife, Auxillia, businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei and his wife Sandra Mpunga, Obey Chimuka, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, ZRP Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri, ZRP Deputy Commissioner General Stephen Mutamba, CIO Deputy Director Walter Tapfumaneyi and former State Security Minister Owen Ncube.
Fossil Agro Private Limited, Fossil Contracting Private Limited, and Sakunda Holdings Private Limited are the designated entities.
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Sanctions Are Targeted At Corrupt Individuals And Human Rights Violators, Says U.S. Embassy Official

The United States government has imposed sanctions on President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, Central Intelligence (CIO) deputy director Walter Tapfumaneyi, and businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei.
In a statement, United States National Security Council Spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the four individuals have been designated (sanctioned) under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, for their involvement in corruption or serious human rights abuse. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
In Zimbabwe, we continue to witness gross abuses of political, economic, and human rights. The targeting of civil society and severe restrictions on political activity have stifled fundamental freedoms, while key actors, including government leaders, have siphoned off public resources for personal gains.
These illicit activities support and contribute to a global criminal network of bribery, smuggling, and money laundering that impoverishes communities in Zimbabwe, southern Africa, and other parts of the world.
In response to new and continuing corruption and serious human rights abuse, the United States is refocusing and elevating its efforts to hold accountable the individuals and entities that are responsible for this exploitation.
Today, the United States is employing a new set of tools in Zimbabwe, including the flagship Global Magnitsky sanctions program, to make clear that the egregious behavior of some of the most powerful people and companies in Zimbabwe matches the actions of the worst human rights abusers and corrupt actors globally. 
Specifically, the Department of the Treasury is designating three entities and eleven individuals, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, Brigadier General (Retired) Walter Tapfumaneyi, and businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei, pursuant to Executive Order 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, for their involvement in corruption or serious human rights abuse.
These designations build on recent U.S. Government actions, including pausing U.S. participation in the African Development Bank Dialogue and utilizing the Department of State’s new visa restriction policy for undermining democracy in Zimbabwe.
These steps are concurrent with the termination of the preexisting Zimbabwe sanctions program that began in March 2003 and expanded on in subsequent orders. Actions to retire the previous sanctions program and designate key actors under the Global Magnitsky sanctions program are part of an ongoing effort to ensure we are promoting accountability for serious human rights abuse and corruption in a targeted and strategic manner. 
Sanctions on these individuals and entities do not represent sanctions on Zimbabwe or its public. The Administration reaffirms its commitment to work with the people of Zimbabwe; will continue to robustly support civil society, human rights defenders, and independent media to promote values consistent with the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001; and take additional measures to hold accountable those who deny Zimbabweans the democratic freedoms and good governance they deserve.
</blockquote>
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