The United States Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa and several other key figures for their involvement in corruption and serious human rights abuses. The president was among 11 individuals who were sanctioned under Executive Order (E.O.) 13818, which implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.
The aforementioned act underscores the U.S.'s commitment to promoting accountability for those involved in abuse networks. According to a press release by the Department of Treasury, the United States has also terminated the Zimbabwe Sanctions Program. This means that economic sanctions previously administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) are no longer in effect. However, this is separate from the new sanctions; any property and interests previously blocked by the Zimbabwe Sanctions Program are now unblocked.
President Mnangagwa is implicated in corrupt activities involving gold and diamond smuggling networks. By providing protection for smugglers to operate without consequences within Zimbabwe, he facilitates their operation in illicit markets. Furthermore, he is accused of accepting bribes while violently suppressing political opponents. First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa was also sanctioned due to her role in facilitating these corrupt activities.
Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo expressed his concerns about the situation in Zimbabwe. "The United States remains deeply concerned about democratic backsliding, human rights abuses, and government corruption in Zimbabwe," said Adeyemo. He further clarified that "the changes we are making today are intended to make clear what has always been true: our sanctions are not intended to target the people of Zimbabwe." Adeyemo emphasized that they are refocusing their sanctions on "clear and specific targets: President Mnangagwa’s criminal network of government officials and businesspeople who are most responsible for corruption or human rights abuse against the people of Zimbabwe." He concluded by stating that these sanctions provide an opportunity for the Zimbabwean Government to undergo reforms and improve its stance on human rights and anti-corruption.
