CIVIC SOCIETY AND CHURCHES JOINT FORUM (CSCJF) OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUÉ ON THE COMMEMORATION OF SADC ANTI-SANCTIONS DAY

Date: 25 October 2026

Harare

The Civic Society and Churches Joint Forum joins the church, civic society, and the entire nation in marking this year’s SADC Anti-Sanctions Day.As a faith and civic-led platform, we believe in truth, peace and justice. The truth is that Zimbabwe has made progress, but the burden has not been fully lifted.

ACKNOWLEDGING THE MILESTONES ACHIEVED BY THE SECOND REPUBLIC: We as CSCJF welcome and acknowledge the diplomatic gains achieved through the Engagement and Re-engagement drive:

a) The decision by the United States Government on 4th March 2024 to terminate the Zimbabwe-specific Executive Orders 13288, 13391 and 13469, which led to the delisting of over 100 Zimbabwean individuals and entities.

b) The European Union’s decision in February 2026 to lift travel bans and asset freezes on Zimbabwean nationals.

c) The United Kingdom’s removal of remaining Zimbabwe-related designations in May 2025.We as CSCJF welcome and acknowledge that these gains did not happen in isolation.

We wish to sincerely thank all patriotic forces whose advocacy made this possible, including the Zimbabwe Anti-Sanctions Movement, the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD), churches, civic groups, and all Zimbabweans in the diaspora who have been consistent in telling the true Zimbabwean story. Your collective voice has contributed to this progress.We commend the leadership of the Second Republic for listening and acting.

WHAT STILL REMAINS – AND WHY WE CONTINUE TO SPEAK: Despite these steps, sanctions in another form continue to affect the daily lives of Zimbabweans, especially women, youth, the sick and the poor whom the Church serves:

i) United States – Global Magnitsky Sanctions: The previous programme was replaced by designations under the Global Magnitsky Act, where 11 individuals including the Head of State and 3 entities remain listed. Furthermore, exclusion from AGOA and restrictive measures under ZDERA continue to influence international financial institutions against Zimbabwe

ii) European Union – Arms Embargo: The EU continues to maintain an arms embargo on Zimbabwe until 20 February 2027.

iii) The Silent Sanction of De-risking: This is the heaviest burden.

Due to fear of violating remaining measures, global banks and suppliers refuse to transact with Zimbabwe. The result is limited access to affordable lines of credit, essential medicines, agricultural equipment and industrial machinery. Zimbabwe is a friend to all and an enemy to none. This is the gospel of peace that the church preaches.

On this sacred day, the Civic Society and Churches Joint Forum therefore adds its moral voice in calling for the total, immediate and unconditional removal of all remaining sanctions on Zimbabwe imposed by the United States and the remaining arms embargo by the European Union.Let Zimbabweans be allowed to work, trade and build our nation freely towards Vision 2030. Total Removal Now! Sanctions Must Go! Signed:

Dr Abigail Mupambi

National Coordinator Civic Society and Churches Joint Forum (CSCJF) Harare, Zimbabwe