Cyril Ramaphosa wants all sanctions on Zimbabwe lifted, and he says the pressure on its economy is getting worse. The South African president made his case as head of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), with the bloc still firm in its push to help Zimbabwe recover.
His message came as SADC marked its yearly campaign against the trade and financial curbs. This round put the focus on closer ties among nearby states and global partners. The aim was to help economies grow, even with the bans still in place.
And Ramaphosa thinks the stakes go well past one nation. Global tensions and shaky markets already make life hard. In his view, extra curbs hurt Zimbabwe and may hold back growth across southern Africa.
The regional group has no plans to drop its demand, either. Ramaphosa said SADC would keep pressing for a full and unconditional end to the measures. He framed it as a shared cause, since progress in one state can help its neighbors.
Then came his appeal to the states behind the bans. Rather than keep the dispute going, he wants them to sit down with Zimbabwe and talk through a way to lift the curbs.
For people in Zimbabwe, his goal is quite clear. He believes an end to the limits would give the nation more room to grow, raise living standards, and create jobs and other chances for its people.
That is also why SADC keeps this campaign on its agenda. It gives member states a way to back Zimbabwe in public and press for closer ties across the region.
His message came as SADC marked its yearly campaign against the trade and financial curbs. This round put the focus on closer ties among nearby states and global partners. The aim was to help economies grow, even with the bans still in place.
And Ramaphosa thinks the stakes go well past one nation. Global tensions and shaky markets already make life hard. In his view, extra curbs hurt Zimbabwe and may hold back growth across southern Africa.
The regional group has no plans to drop its demand, either. Ramaphosa said SADC would keep pressing for a full and unconditional end to the measures. He framed it as a shared cause, since progress in one state can help its neighbors.
Then came his appeal to the states behind the bans. Rather than keep the dispute going, he wants them to sit down with Zimbabwe and talk through a way to lift the curbs.
For people in Zimbabwe, his goal is quite clear. He believes an end to the limits would give the nation more room to grow, raise living standards, and create jobs and other chances for its people.
That is also why SADC keeps this campaign on its agenda. It gives member states a way to back Zimbabwe in public and press for closer ties across the region.
