Effects of sanctions on Zimbabwe (2000-2020).

Abstract

The study evaluated the imposition and effects of sanctions on Zimbabwe. The study is guided by exchange theory. This was a desk research which used the internet and secondary sources. The study revealed that the imposition of sanctions is regarded differently by those who imposed them and by those on whom the sanctions were imposed. Each side explains the imposition of sanctions on the basis of their own interests. For the Zimbabwean government and the ruling party sanctions were imposed as a result of the land reform carried out by the government to solve the uneven distribution of land in the country. On the other hand, the western countries who imposed sanctions explain the sanctions as being caused by the Zimbabwean government’s failure to respect human rights and lack of rule of law. The study also reveals that there is divergent interpretation of whether the sanctions were legal or illegal. The Zimbabwean government believe that the sanctions were illegal as they did not have the blessing of the United Nations but those who imposed the sanctions believe they were legal as they passed through their arliamentary institutions. Sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe had a negative impact on the economy to a certain extent as they are other factors for the economic instability in the country. It is recommended that the Zimbabwean government should try to improve the political environment in the country to influence those who imposed sanctions to remove them.