BOISE, Idaho – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement on the Biden Administration’s announcement of Global Magnitsky (GloMag) sanctions related to Zimbabwe:
“Today’s GloMag designation of 14 Zimbabwean individuals and entities is a significant shift in approach on the use of sanctions related to Zimbabwe. In particular, the sanctioning of President Mnangagwa for both corruption and human rights violations is a damning indictment – he is notably the first head of state designated under the program.
“Sunsetting the previous Zimbabwe sanctions program and replacing it with GloMag robs the regime of excuses for its failed economy while ensuring Zimbabwe’s worst offenders remain held accountable. However, sanctions are just a tool, not a comprehensive policy. I have continuously called on the Biden Administration to vigorously implement the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZDERA), reevaluate all facets of our relationship with the Zimbabwean government, and use every diplomatic avenue to forge a coalition of regional and global partners to fight transnational corruption and support the people of Zimbabwe.
“Biden Administration officials have provided assurances that today’s GloMag designations are just the beginning of an ongoing process. I will hold them to this commitment. The United States must also do better in countering the Zimbabwean government’s propaganda about the role of the United States and our partners play in its failings.”
Background:
In addition to President Mnangagwa, the administration also sanctioned serial human rights abusers and lords of corruption in Zimbabwe, including Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, only the second vice president the United States has designated under Global Magnitsky, former Minister of State Security Owen Ncube, and Kudakawashe Tagwirei, a long-time launderer of the regime’s corrupt gains. Today’s action has no impact on ZDERA.
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