China and the African Union have renewed calls for the unconditional lifting of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) marks Anti-Sanctions Day on October 25.

In a message marking the day, the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe reaffirmed Beijing’s support for Harare’s opposition to sanctions, calling on Western countries and organisations to lift the measures and take steps to support Zimbabwe’s economic recovery.

The embassy said the sanctions had undermined Zimbabwe’s sovereignty, restricted its development and hindered Southern Africa’s pursuit of shared economic progress.

“China reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with Zimbabwe,” the embassy said, adding that Beijing supported the country’s right to pursue independent development without external interference.

The statement urged the countries and organisations concerned to heed international calls and lift the sanctions without further delay, arguing that doing so would help improve livelihoods in Zimbabwe.

The African Union (AU) has also renewed its call for the immediate and unconditional lifting of unilateral sanctions against Zimbabwean institutions and individuals.

In a statement dated October 23, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf expressed concern over the measures’ impact on Zimbabwe’s socio-economic development, saying they had constrained access to international financial systems, deterred foreign direct investment, increased the cost of doing business and limited access to development assistance.

The AU said the sanctions had also undermined progress towards Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, SADC’s regional economic integration targets, the AU’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Youssouf reaffirmed the continental body’s commitment to supporting Zimbabwe’s efforts to mobilise international backing for the removal of the measures.

The AU also said it fully aligned itself with the position expressed by the SADC Chairperson on behalf of the region.

SADC designated October 25 as Anti-Sanctions Day at its 39th Ordinary Summit in 2019, calling for sanctions against Zimbabwe to be lifted.

Zimbabwe has faced various forms of Western restrictions for more than two decades.

While the Zimbabwean government and its allies argue that the measures have damaged the wider economy, the countries imposing targeted sanctions have generally linked them to concerns over governance, human rights and alleged corruption.

The annual observance has become a platform for Zimbabwe and regional partners to press for the removal of the measures, with China and the AU reiterating their support for Harare’s position this year.