What U.S. sanctions really do & don’t do

By Ambassador Pamela M. Tremont

In March this year, the United States reaffirmed its partnership with the people ofZimbabwe by ending the Zimbabwe Sanctions Program while remainingcommitted to addressing human rights abuses and corruption in Zimbabwethrough the Global Magnitsky (GloMag) sanctions program.

These updated U.S.sanctions on a handful of Zimbabweans have been a topic of intense debate,often clouded by misinformation.

The Zimbabwean government has portrayedthese sanctions as the root cause of the nation’s economic|woes, but nothingcould be further from the truth.The current individuals sanctioned under GloMag were designated for theirspecific corrupt acts or involvement in serious human rights abuses.

The sanctionsdo not target the people, economy, or country of Zimbabwe.

The Government ofZimbabwe can engage in international trade, conduct standard bankingtransactions, and provide humanitarian assistance for its people.

Instead, GloMagsanctions affect only 11 individuals and 3 companies in Zimbabwe, preventingthem from using the U.S. financial and banking systems for their personal affairsand travelling to the United States.

Some Zimbabwean officials have saidsanctions on these 11 individuals impinge on Zimbabwe’s sovereignty – not true. Itis a matter of U.S. sovereignty to protect and regulate our financial system anddecide who can enter our country, just as Zimbabwe regulates its own banks andborders.U.S. sanctions are not a blanket embargo on the country and never have been.

Infact, U.S.-Zimbabwe bilateral trade increased last year by 20 percent.

Rather,there is credible evidence that those sanctioned are responsible for or otherwiseinvolved in serious human rights abuses and/or corruption.

Sanctions ensure thatpeople and companies in the US. do not provide support to those sanctionedactors who engage in human rights abuse and corruption.

The notion that U.S. sanctions are the cause of Zimbabwe’s difficulties does notalign with reality.

This false narrative diverts attention from the real issuesplaguing Zimbabwe.

According to reports by Zimbabwe’s own Prosecutor General, Zimbabwe loses $1.8 billion to corruption annually.

Hyperinflation, highunemployment and underemployment, and widespread poverty are theconsequences of domestic policies and unaddressed criminal activity, not alimited number of targeted sanctions.

Our targeted sanctions do not hinder Zimbabwe from accessing internationalfinancial assistance.

The country’s exclusion from some financing opportunities isdue to its failure to repay debts – arrears dating back to the late 1990’s.

Economicand governance reforms by Zimbabwe’s leadership would better positionZimbabwe to benefit fully from international financing.

Falsely labeling Zimbabweas “a country under sanctions” only perpetuates a fallacious narrative thatdissuades potential investors.

Our recent sanctions transition in March – a move made in good faith to effect apositive change with Zimbabwe – presents an opportunity for the Government ofZimbabwe to implement crucial reforms and cease misbranding the country as asanctioned country to the detriment of its own people.

By improving its record onhuman rights, good governance, and anti-corruption, Zimbabwe’s leaders canpave the way for more international investment and a more prosperous and justsociety.

The United States has made it clear that it is willing to supportZimbabwe’s development and help it improve its investment climate, as thegovernment demonstrates a commitment to meaningful change.

Since the sanctions transition in March, the U.S.government has encouragedAmerican financial institutions to consider engaging with the Zimbabwean privatesector, but they remain concerned about the cost of doing business in Zimbabwe

The United States wants to see Zimbabwe live up to the values it has enshrined inits constitution.

We have repeatedly expressed our willingness to work withZimbabwe on this journey, but the first step must be taken by Zimbabwe’s leaders

.By dispelling the myths surrounding these sanctions, we can focus on the realissues and work together to create a brighter future for all Zimbabweans.

Pamela M. Tremont is U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Zimbabwe

—The newshawks

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