Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa is confronting accusations of smuggling and corruption, as the United States imposes sanctions on him. The move comes amid allegations of involvement in illicit gold and diamond trading, prompting action from the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). According to OFAC, Mnangagwa stands accused of shielding networks engaged in illegal trading activities and accepting bribes to facilitate such operations. Moreover, the president faces restrictions due to his associations with entities implicated in severe human rights abuses.
OFAC’s statement underscores Mnangagwa’s alleged involvement in corruption, including the misappropriation of state assets and bribery linked to government contracts and natural resource extraction. These sanctions mark a significant development following US President Joe Biden’s executive order, which lifted sanctions on Zimbabwe to prevent adverse effects on its citizens and terminated the national emergency.
Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo stressed that the sanctions target specific individuals rather than the broader Zimbabwean population. This action reflects concerns about democratic backsliding, human rights violations, and governmental corruption within the country. The United States aims to recalibrate its sanctions to effectively address these pressing issues.
