Church joins nation in denouncing sanctions

Harare- THE Council for Churches in Africa (CCA) has joined patriotic citizens in denouncing illegal sanctions imposed against Zimbabwe.

In statement released Tuesday, CCA said the ecumenical body bemoaned the effects of the sanctions which have shredded the economy and also affected smooth operations of the church.

“The church is feeling the impact of rising inflation and incomes have been eroded with prices skyrocketing daily.
“The economy is in tatters as a result of illegal sanctions which have been imposed against Zimbabwe by our detractors,” read part of the statement.

They further bemoaned how
the situation has reached alarming levels where ordinary congregants are not free to operate
in a country with an economy which is in intensive care unit.

“Today marks a historic call from the ecumenical umbrella body representing
indigenous churches in Africa, as we join everyone in denouncing illegal sanctions
which have been imposed against Zimbabwe.
” Indeed, this is a complementary
crusade for a common good of ordinary congregants. We thus congregate today
with the main objective to show solidarity with members of the society who are wailing in abject poverty caused by illegal sanctions,” further read the statement.

The church lamented over the economic environment that affects the ease of doing business since churches are facing the same problems that the
general populace is experiencing.

“This has become a challenge for the church, which
rarely receives foreign currency.
“Likewise, Africa and many other countries in the region have joined Zimbabwe in the
call for the removal of the sanctions which have choked the country for more than two decades thereby retards development and crippling church-related businesses.
“The sanctions makes it more difficult for Western companies and investors to deal with Zimbabwe and making it almost impossible for Zimbabwe to access most of the normal global financial institutions set up to facilitate trade and mobilise capital
for development,” read the statement.

CCA hailed the Second Republic for taking pragmatic steps to re-engage
with the world, including hostile Western nations.

“The re-engagement efforts find
expression in the united call by SADC member states to speak unanimously against the sanctions annually on October 25.

“Basically, the current administration has implemented political and economic
reforms that have been accompanied by unprecedented infrastructural development notwithstanding the continued existence of the illegal sanctions.
“The European Union introduced sanctions commonly referred to as the Common
Foreign Security Policy Frame work (CFSP) imposed in February 2002 while the United States enacted the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act
(Zidera), which restricts support to Zimbabwe’s economy.”

It further reads:

“Today, the CCA, its partners, helpers and stakeholders condemn the illegal sanctions
imposed against Zimbabwe with loudest voices.”

The Council for Churches in Africa is a non-profit faith-based ecumenical umbrella body for indigenous churches in Africa with the aim to promote love, peace and justice amongst churches through genuine dialogue and engagement in an effort to avoid church splits in the region, CCA is also the Voice of the African indigenous churches and a voluntary arm for African Union with the objective of giving spiritual
guidance.