(NEWZIMBABWE) Army says hit by sanctions

Army says hit by sanctions
12/12/2011 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter

THE Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) is struggling to meet its day-to-day basic operational needs as sanctions imposed by the West continue to bite.

A senior officer admitted in Bulawayo that army training programmes were being carried out under “extremely” difficult conditions. Colonel Josiah Kadumba was speaking at the pass-out parade for 60 officers who had completed their training at Inkomo Barracks.

"The course was conducted under extremely hard conditions which led to fuel shortages for exercise and basic necessities to sustain their course,” he said.

"However, the soldiers endured to meet the required standards despite these challenges."

Western countries imposed sanctions against the country more than a decade ago over allegations of electoral fraud and human rights abuses.

President Robert Mugabe insists the sanctions were meant to punish the country for its land reforms, a refrain repeated by Colonel Kadumba.

"Western countries imposed illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe in a bid to frustrate efforts made by Government to address the land issue since 2000,” he said urging the graduating officers to remain vigilant despite the operational difficulties.

"As loyal servicemen and women we should be fully aware that the hardships we are currently experiencing are just but a passing phase."

President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF is pushing for the removal of the sanctions arguing they are harming ordinary people and holding back efforts to rebuild the country’s shattered economy.

However, the Western countries claim the sanctions are only targeted at individuals and companies connected with human rights violations in the country and will not be removed until progress is made in implementing political reforms.