Are Sanctions on Zimbabwe Targeting the Elite?

In September 2024, the Sanctions on Zimbabwe debate remains intense. Are sanctions affecting elites or the entire nation? The political narrative has long been divided on this issue.

Sanctions were introduced in the early 2000s, targeting Zimbabwean officials due to land reforms and human rights violations. The U.S. and the European Union led the charge, focusing on freezing assets and travel bans.

The U.S. still enforces targeted sanctions under the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZDERA). This law remains crucial in understanding the nature of current restrictions on Zimbabwean elites.

According to U.S. sources, these sanctions primarily affect individuals linked to corruption, electoral fraud, and human rights violations. The broader economy remains largely untouched by American measures.

Meanwhile, the European Union has softened its approach. Initially imposing comprehensive sanctions, the EU has since removed many restrictions, keeping only targeted measures on select individuals responsible for ongoing abuses.

In 2024, most EU sanctions have been lifted, yet some restrictions on individuals remain. The ruling ZANU-PF party, however, continues to claim that sanctions are crippling Zimbabwe’s recovery.

President Mnangagwa insists sanctions are an economic attack on Zimbabwe’s sovereignty. His government argues that restrictions limit access to international capital and hurt national economic prospects.

ZANU-PF blames sanctions for Zimbabwe’s financial struggles, but the opposition maintains a different stance. They see sanctions as a tool to ensure accountability for ongoing corruption and democratic erosion.

The opposition claims that lifting sanctions would remove vital pressure on the government. They argue sanctions help maintain international oversight, especially concerning human rights and fair elections.

However, Zimbabwe’s economic woes predate the imposition of sanctions. Mismanagement, hyperinflation, and widespread corruption have been long-standing issues, independent of international measures.

This leads to a critical question: are sanctions really the primary factor behind Zimbabwe’s economic decline? Or are internal governance failures the true cause of the country’s struggles?

While sanctions have affected key sectors, their impact on the entire nation is debatable. Many argue that Zimbabwe’s leadership has used sanctions as a convenient scapegoat for internal economic mismanagement.

In recent years, U.S. and EU sanctions have become more focused. Targeted mainly at individuals in power, the broader Zimbabwean economy has avoided direct penalties from these sanctions.

To move forward, Zimbabwe needs deep reforms. Sanctions alone cannot be blamed for all economic hardships. The country must address its internal political and economic dysfunctions.

Restoring sanity requires structural changes, including electoral reforms and anti-corruption measures. Rebuilding international trust depends on these reforms, not simply lifting sanctions.

If Zimbabwe can prove genuine commitment to reform, international re-engagement may follow. But without internal changes, lifting sanctions may not resolve deeper economic problems.

Sanctions have indeed evolved over time, becoming less about regime change and more about targeted measures. Yet their impact remains a point of contention between the government and opposition.

For many Zimbabweans, the key question is whether removing sanctions would truly fix the economy. Without addressing deeper systemic issues, even a complete removal might bring limited change.

ZANU-PF continues to argue that sanctions are holding the nation back. The opposition insists they remain necessary for accountability. Zimbabweans are left wondering who will win this long-standing debate.

At the heart of the issue is governance. If Zimbabwe is to break free from its economic crisis, it must take responsibility for its internal problems. Sanctions alone are not the root cause of its struggles.

In conclusion, sanctions remain a contentious tool. To some, they are a necessary check on power. To others, they are the reason for the nation’s prolonged economic hardship. Both views have merit.

Zimbabwe’s future lies in reform, not rhetoric. Sanctions may be part of the problem, but they are not the sole reason for the country’s economic and political challenges. Change must come from within.

For Zimbabwe to thrive again, it must confront its internal governance issues. Only then can it begin the process of meaningful recovery, with or without international sanctions in place.

The Zim Bulletin