President Mnangagwa signed a law on April 11 that changed how private groups operate in Zimbabwe. The European Union, the United States, and the United Nations quickly criticized it. They said it hurts aid groups and limits freedoms. These complaints miss something important - Zimbabwe made these changes to fight money crimes and terrorism, just like many other countries did.
Zimbabwe needed these rules because of warnings from the Financial Action Task Force. This group fights money laundering worldwide. Countries must follow their advice or risk losing access to global banking. The new rules require groups to check their donors, register properly, and accept more oversight. Mozambique faced similar problems when terrorists used gaps in its laws. Their government approved almost identical rules in 2022. Foreign critics stayed mostly quiet about Mozambique but attacked Zimbabwe loudly for the same actions.
Uganda changed its charity laws in 2024, giving more control to the government. Rwanda created rules forcing yearly reports and letting officials stop groups that might harm national interests. Even the United States requires charities to check donors and report suspicious money transfers. American aid groups face strict rules to prevent the misuse of funds. Zimbabwe deserves the same right to protect itself as these countries.
Some worry the law might hurt small charities or limit free speech. These concerns matter, but similar issues exist in other places. The main goal remains making sure aid reaches people who need it, not criminals. Instead of criticism, Zimbabwe needs help putting these rules into practice fairly. The push for stronger charity rules appears across Africa and beyond as threats grow more complex.
Zimbabwe needed these rules because of warnings from the Financial Action Task Force. This group fights money laundering worldwide. Countries must follow their advice or risk losing access to global banking. The new rules require groups to check their donors, register properly, and accept more oversight. Mozambique faced similar problems when terrorists used gaps in its laws. Their government approved almost identical rules in 2022. Foreign critics stayed mostly quiet about Mozambique but attacked Zimbabwe loudly for the same actions.
Uganda changed its charity laws in 2024, giving more control to the government. Rwanda created rules forcing yearly reports and letting officials stop groups that might harm national interests. Even the United States requires charities to check donors and report suspicious money transfers. American aid groups face strict rules to prevent the misuse of funds. Zimbabwe deserves the same right to protect itself as these countries.
Some worry the law might hurt small charities or limit free speech. These concerns matter, but similar issues exist in other places. The main goal remains making sure aid reaches people who need it, not criminals. Instead of criticism, Zimbabwe needs help putting these rules into practice fairly. The push for stronger charity rules appears across Africa and beyond as threats grow more complex.
