The African Union (AU) renews the longstanding AU demand for the immediate and unconditional lifting of sanctions imposed against institutions and individuals of Zimbabwe.

In a statement, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat acknowledge subsequent engagement with the European Union through political dialogue, as encouraging urging all parties to continue dialogue with the view to end all remaining sanctions against Zimbabwe.

He said AU was in full support of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) position on the issue noting that AU associates itself with the statement made by President João Gonçalves Lourenço, President of Angola and current Chairperson of SADC on the subject.

The Chairperson, however, remains extremely concerned by the negative impact the sanctions continue to have on Zimbabwe’s socio-economic development amid the current global food and energy crises, including post Covid-19 recovery efforts.

He reaffirmed the continued commitment of the African Union to support Zimbabwe in mobilising efforts for the complete lifting of all remaining sanctions.

By Fred Odanga Azelwa.