Chamisa-led MDC Alliance dismisses UN Report on sanctions as a scandal

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Opposition MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa has rubbished United Nations special rapporteur Alena Douhan’s report on the outcome of her findings on the impact of Western sanctions on Zimbabwe.

The party described the report as pre-determined as it did not capture the opposition’s views.

MDC Alliance vice-president Tendai Biti claimed in a tweet on Wednesday evening that the UN special envoy exposed her bias by releasing her report mid-way into their meeting. Biti tweeted:

We are shocked that the UN and Douhan released its statement in the middle of our consultation. We are the biggest political party in Zimbabwe and we consider such conduct fraudulent, unprofessional and predetermined.
As MDC Alliance, we had a meeting with the UN special rapporteur on coercive measures, Douhan, from 3pm to 5pm this (Wednesday) afternoon. She advised us that our views would be considered and that she would hold a Press conference and then issue a Press statement (on Thursday).

The MDC Alliance delegation that met Douhan included Biti, party secretary-general Chalton Hwende, secretary for international relations Gladys Hlyatwayo and welfare secretary Maureen Kademaunga.

Biti described Douhan’s preliminary report as a scandal since it was issued while they were still in a meeting with her. Part of the UN report read:

Unilateral sanctions, secondary sanctions and over-compliance in their complexity have exacerbated the pre-existing economic and humanitarian crisis, inhibiting the building of essential infrastructure and international and inter-institutional co-operation necessary for the achievement of the sustainable development goals.

Douhan’s 10-day visit to probe the impact of sanctions on Zimbabwe ended on Wednesday with an address to the media on her findings.

The UN accused Western countries of influencing her tour by allegedly threatening civic society organisations against meeting her.

Douhan also called for meaningful dialogue between Harare and the West, opposition parties, civic organisations and other stakeholders.

A final report will be tabled at the UN Human Rights Commission in September 2020.

But analyst Alexander Rusero said Biti was undiplomatic in his claims adding that “Biti should understand that a preliminary

Another analyst, Eldred Masunungure said described Douhan’s release of the preliminary statement as “an attempt to undermine the opinions of other contributors.”

While the UN has called for lifting of sanctions by the West against Zimbabwe as they are hurting the economy, the United States has reiterated that corruption was behind Zimbabwe’s economic woes.

More: NewsDay