The United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK) have denied government claims that Zimbabwean economy is being affected by sanctions.
Their remarks comes after government and the rest of SADC are calling for the removal of the economic sanctions insisting that they are affecting the economy and the general populace.
Posting on their Twitter handle, the UK said its sanctions on Zimbabwe are asset freezes and only travel bans on 5 Zimbabwean individuals for corruption and rights abuses.
They also went on to dismiss claims by the ZANU PF government that the sanctions are behind Zimbabwe’s economic woes as they have, among others, blocked trade.
“Trade between the UK and Zimbabwe was 244m USD last financial year.
“UK sanctions are asset freezes and travel bans on 5 Zimbabwean individuals for corruption & rights abuses. They don’t stop trade.
“Let’s get this straight: the UK imposed asset freezes and a UK travel ban earlier this year on 5 individuals for corruption and serious human rights abuses. The UK has no economic sanctions on Zimbabwe.
“The facts: trade between the UK and Zimbabwe was 244m USD last FY, with Zim exports to the UK reaching 55m USD.
“The UK and Zimbabwe have a bilateral trade deal which gives Zimbabwe duty & quota-free access to UK markets,” said UK.
Meanwhile, the United States of America said its sanctions on Zimbabwe were imposed to encourage good governance and to foster democracy.
“Advancing democracy, promoting human rights and protecting fundamental freedoms continue to be top priorities for the United States. America stands with the Zimbabwean people as you strive for a more democratic and prosperous future.
“The Zimbabwe sanctions program aims to encourage those sanctioned individuals to stop facilitating corruption and start respecting fundamental rights and democratic aspirations.
“The U.S. government can lift sanctions once it determines sanctioned individuals have stopped undermining democracy, violating human rights, or facilitating corruption, “said the US embassy in Harare.
US and UN statements were also issued during a time when a United Nations special rapporteur, Alena Bouhan, is in Zimbabwe on a 10-day visit to ascertain the effects of sanctions imposed on individuals and some corporates in the country.