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Zimbabweans march against EU and US sanctions | Zimbabweans march against EU and US sanctions |
(30 minutes later) | |
Thousands of people are marching across Zimbabwe in government-organised protests against US and EU sanctions. | Thousands of people are marching across Zimbabwe in government-organised protests against US and EU sanctions. |
The demonstrators say the sanctions have ruined the Zimbabwean economy. | The demonstrators say the sanctions have ruined the Zimbabwean economy. |
But the US and EU argue they have been imposed on individuals and companies and have no impact on the economy. | But the US and EU argue they have been imposed on individuals and companies and have no impact on the economy. |
The government has made the day a public holiday, provided buses for marches and President Emmerson Mnangagwa gave an address at the National Sports Stadium. | The government has made the day a public holiday, provided buses for marches and President Emmerson Mnangagwa gave an address at the National Sports Stadium. |
"We know very well that the sanctions are neither smart nor targeted," AFP news agency reports him as saying to the crowds. | "We know very well that the sanctions are neither smart nor targeted," AFP news agency reports him as saying to the crowds. |
"Their impact on our daily lives is immeasurable and the consequences are dire," he added. | "Their impact on our daily lives is immeasurable and the consequences are dire," he added. |
But critics say the government is trying to deflect anger about the worsening economic crisis which has seen increasing inflation and people's incomes falling. | |
Protesters wore T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan "#SanctionsMustGo" and carried placards saying the sanctions were a crime against humanity. | |
Business owners told the BBC's Shingai Nyoka that the sanctions have put a black mark against Zimbabwe meaning banks have stopped lending companies money at affordable interest rates. | |
'Propaganda effort' | |
Speakers at the stadium said the sanctions were the reason for most of the economic problems that Zimbabwe is facing including power and water shortages. | |
Our correspondent adds that less people than expected turned up to the main protest, with only 15-20,000 people in a stadium with a capacity of 60,000. | |
Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has said the protests are part of a propaganda effort to mask the country's "failed leadership". | Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has said the protests are part of a propaganda effort to mask the country's "failed leadership". |
The US embassy in Zimbabwe tweeted that the fault for the failing economy lies with the government's "failed economic policies". | The US embassy in Zimbabwe tweeted that the fault for the failing economy lies with the government's "failed economic policies". |
The US financial and travel restrictions currently apply to 85 individuals, including President Mnangagwa, and 56 companies or organisations. | The US financial and travel restrictions currently apply to 85 individuals, including President Mnangagwa, and 56 companies or organisations. |
The US also imposed a ban on arms exports to Zimbabwe. | The US also imposed a ban on arms exports to Zimbabwe. |
EU sanctions also target specific individuals both within the Zimbabwean government and associated with it. | EU sanctions also target specific individuals both within the Zimbabwean government and associated with it. |
Travel restrictions and a freeze on assets have been imposed, along with the sale of military hardware and equipment which might be used for internal repression. | Travel restrictions and a freeze on assets have been imposed, along with the sale of military hardware and equipment which might be used for internal repression. |
Some of the sanctions started 20 years ago but in March the US government added to its list military officials involved in last year's deadly crackdown on protesters. | Some of the sanctions started 20 years ago but in March the US government added to its list military officials involved in last year's deadly crackdown on protesters. |