Minister Kazembe, Zimbabwe remains steadfast in its commitment to combatting illicit drugs, despite facing numerous challenges such as Western-imposed sanctions, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the impacts of climate change. These factors have heightened the vulnerabilities of the population, making the fight against narcotics even more challenging.
Although efforts to seize and intercept illicit drugs have led to the arrest of traffickers and disruption of drug networks, the government is implementing additional measures to strengthen its anti-drug initiatives.
Speaking at the 67th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna, Austria, Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Kazembe Kazembe, outlined the challenges faced by Zimbabwe in addressing this global issue and the steps being taken by the government.
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Minister Kazembe, accompanied by officials including Director of Strategic Policy Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. Mike Masaka, and Special Advisor to the President and Cabinet on Public Health, Dr. Agnes Mahomva, reiterated the call for the unconditional removal of illegal sanctions.
He emphasized the adverse effects of unilateral coercive measures imposed since 2000, which have hindered Zimbabwe’s access to foreign direct investment, affordable financing, and debt relief initiatives. These limitations reduce the country’s ability to finance national programs aimed at mitigating the challenges posed by illicit drugs.