By Iclal Turan
WASHINGTON (AA) - The US on Monday announced sanctions against Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other top officials in response to alleged "gross abuses of political, economic, and human rights" following elections.
"The targeting of civil society and severe restrictions on political activity have stifled fundamental freedoms, while key actors, including government leaders, have siphoned off public resources for personal gains," National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement.
"These illicit activities support and contribute to a global criminal network of bribery, smuggling, and money laundering that impoverish communities in Zimbabwe, southern Africa, and other parts of the world," she said.
She added that the Department of the Treasury is designating three entities and eleven individuals, including Mnangagwa, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, Brigadier General (Retired) Walter Tapfumaneyi, and businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei, pursuant to Executive Order 13818, for "their involvement in corruption or serious human rights abuse."
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the designations are part of a "stronger, more targeted sanctions policy" towards Zimbabwe.
"The United States is committed to ensuring our sanctions are relevant, timely, and targeted against those most closely connected to corruption and human rights abuses," he said.
"We continue to urge the Government of Zimbabwe to move toward more open and democratic governance, including addressing corruption and protecting human rights, so all Zimbabweans can prosper," he added.
Zimbabwe's spokesman Nick Mangwana responded the allegations in a X post, saying that “as long as senior leadership is under sanctions, we are all under sanctions. And as long as members of Corporate Zimbabwe are under Sanctions, we are under Sanctions.”