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Herald Reporter
The Southern African Development Community (Sadc) has acknowledged efforts by President Mnangagwa to address economic and social transformation since ushering in the Second Republic.

The regional grouping at the weekend was apprised of the situation in the country, on the back of recent violence sponsored by the opposition and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and decried attempts to destabilise the country.

Sadc says sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West should be lifted.

In a statement yesterday Sadc chairperson and Namibian President Dr Hage Geingob revealed that Southern Africa rallied behind Zimbabwe.

“The consultative meeting of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Heads of State and Government, held on February 9, 2019, received a briefing from His Excellency, Mr Mnangagwa, and President of the Republic of Zimbabwe on the current political and socio-economic developments in the country,” said Dr Geingob.

“The Sadc Heads of State and Government noted that since coming into power, the new Government of Zimbabwe has continued with concerted efforts to address socio-economic challenges and transform the economy, particularly through the Zimbabwe Transitional Stabilisation Programme (2018-2020), and to consolidate unity and peace in the country.”

He added, “This, notwithstanding, some internal groups, in particular NGOs, supported by external forces, have continued to destabilise the country.”

Dr Geingob said the Sadc Heads of State and Government had also noted that in an effort to address economic challenges in the country, the Government recently increased fuel prices and violent demonstrators rode on the back of the increases to implement their intention to destabilise the country.

Sadc said the demonstrations resulted in the destruction of property and loss of life.

“Sadc condemns in the strongest terms, the violence that ensued and expresses sympathy with the affected families for the loss of their loved ones and their properties.

“The Sadc Heads of State and Government further noted that the Government’s efforts to transform the economy and bring prosperity to the people of Zimbabwe are negatively affected by the illegal sanctions that were imposed on the country since early 2000.”

Sadc expressed its solidarity with the Government of the people of Zimbabwe, and called upon the international community to unconditionally lift all sanctions imposed on the country.

The Sadc Heads of State and Government also noted that the Government has commenced dialogue with all stakeholders in the country with a view to strengthening economic transformation, and called upon all stakeholders to support the process.