Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reacted to Wednesday’s violent protests in the U.S. capital after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol Building.
Trump had egged on his supporters to march to the seat of the legislature to scuttle a process to confirm the election of President-elect Joe Biden.
President Mnangagwa tweeted that the U.S. “has no moral right to punish other nations under the guise of democracy”.
He said that the U.S. has subjected Zimbabwe to “painful” economic sanctions.
The U.S. and the European Union have both maintained sanctions on Zimbabwe, citing a lack of progress in democratic and human rights reforms as well as restrictions on press freedoms while targeting specific individuals and companies.
Mnangagwa wrote: “Last year, President Trump extended painful economic sanctions on Zimbabwe, citing concerns about Zimbabwe’s democracy.
“Yesterday’s (Wednesday) events showed that the U.S. has no moral right to punish another nation under the guise of upholding democracy. These sanctions must end.
“I’d like to again congratulate President-elect Joe Biden on his confirmation as the 46th President of the United States. Zimbabwe is, as it always has been, ready to work together as friends and partners with the U.S. for the benefit of both our peoples.”