South Africa's ANC Backs Zimbabwe Over Sanctions

South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) on Friday called for the lifting of US and EU sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, saying the measures were hurting the country’s economy.

ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule, who was speaking in Beitbridge on the day of solidarity with Zimbabwe, castigated the US and EU diplomats who had dismissed the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) day of solidarity with Zimbabwe as a political statement. Said Mgashule:

The ANC takes strong umbrage to such dismissive and arrogant language.

As a liberation movement, we are very clear that these are the actions and words of those who want to keep us as developing nations in perpetual economic servitude and on a restraining leash that they can use to rein us in at their whim any time.

The restrictive measures were imposed on Zimbabwe at the turn of the millennium with Western powers condemning government officials for undermining the rule of law and violating human rights.

Meanwhile, Magashule said the ANC would never stop supporting Zimbabwe. He further accused the US and EU of trying to force countries who disagree with the Western powers to toe the line by using sanctions.

More: IOL News