On Monday, the United States implemented sanctions on Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, and eight other high-ranking officials.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control alleges that these individuals and three entities are involved in corruption or serious human rights abuses.
The accusations against President Mnangagwa include protecting gold and diamond smugglers in Zimbabwe, directing government officials to facilitate the illicit sale of these precious resources, and accepting bribes for his services.
The U.S. Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, stated that they were designated under the Global Magnitsky sanctions program.
These designations mark a shift in the U.S. sanctions policy towards Zimbabwe, following President Biden’s approval of a new Executive Order terminating the Zimbabwe sanctions program in effect since 2003.
President Biden also signed an executive order terminating Zimbabwe’s national emergency and revoking Zimbabwe-specific sanctions. The current administration is utilizing a Trump-era executive order based on the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act to enforce the sanctions.
As a consequence of the designations, all property and interests in property of the designated individuals located in the U.S. or under the control of U.S. persons are blocked.
The White House clarified in a statement that these sanctions do not target Zimbabwe or its public. The administration reaffirms its commitment to collaborating with the people of Zimbabwe, supporting civil society, human rights defenders, and independent media.
The aim is to promote values consistent with the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001 and to take additional measures to hold accountable those who deny Zimbabweans the democratic freedoms and good governance they deserve.
It’s worth noting that in 2022, the U.S. had previously sanctioned one of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s sons, Emmerson Mnangagwa Jr.
