President Hichilema calls for total lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe

“I want to state very clearly here that Zambia reaffirms its unwavering support for the total lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe”, President Hakainde Hichilema has said.

He said this during the inaugural Bi-National Commission (BNC) meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe, today.

President Hichilema, who was received at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare by that country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Professor Amon Murwira, said: “if these sanctions had their value at the time, the value has expired.”

“We need Zimbabwe to exercise its desire to develop the economy to support its people. But sanctions are standing in the way.

“Sanctions on Zimbabwe affect us because they limit what we can do with each other. So we have a vested interest,” President Hichilema said.

He also said the BNC is a commendable development as Zambia and Zimbabwe continue watering their partnership.

“Our shared identity, our solidarity, our deep bonds are just beginning stronger and stronger. We need to walk the path that those that came before us walked, in our relationship.

“I call on the people of Zimbabwe, the people of Zambia, at a people-to-people level, to continue deepening this partnership. The strength of our partnership should be anchored at the family levels – Zimbabwe and Zambian families,” he said.

President Hichilema further told the audience that in Zambia, there is a huge population of “ex-Zimbabweans.”

“They came from here in the difficult colonial time and made Zambian their home. We live together and actually love to raise children by intermarrying and we are raising fantastic children. We are truly Siamese twins – connected at the umbilical cord.

“We have common shared resources or assets. Zambia and Zimbabwe are connected by roads, railway, waters and air,” President Hichilema said, stressing that it is not possible for the two countries to operate separately.

President Hichilema added that Zambia and Zimbabwe ought to deepen their security cooperation. 

“Where you feel there is a grey area, reach out to each other – conduct joint assessment missions,” he said.  

He further called for the abolishment of trade tariffs out between Zambia and Zimbabwe for increased trade.

“Africa trades the least with itself. If we are talking about Africa Free Trade Area, it must start with Zimbabwe and Zambia.

“We would like to see more joint investments between Zambian and Zimbabwean business people,” President Hichilema said.

He also said: “when we talk of foreign direct investments, let’s not think of Europe but think of Zimbabwe and Zambia.”

President Hichilema noted that security and stability is what will will allow the two countries to do the goals of the BNC.

“Let’s maintain peace, security and stability in Zimbabwe, Zambia, in SADC, on the continent of Africa and globally,” said President Hichilema.