Sanctions Choke Zim: Afdb Chief ‘ ……. Affect Capacity To Clear Arrears, Resolve Debt’

President Mnangagwa greets African Development Bank president Dr. Akinwumi Adesina at the Second Session of the Structured Dialogue Platform meeting in Harare on Thursday. — Picture: Believe Nyakudjara

Wallace Ruzvidzo and Debra Matabvu

Economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the United States (US) and its Western allies remain the biggest impediment to the country’s ability to clear its arrears and resolve its debt, president of the African Development Bank (AfDB)Dr Akinwumi Adesina has said. Speaking exclusively to The Sunday Mail on the sidelines of last week’s Second Structured Dialogue Platform meeting on the arrears clearance and debt resolution process, Dr Adesina said clearance of the arrears and resolution of the country’s long-standing debt will propel the country to yesteryear heights of economic stability and enhanced job creation. The Government is presently engaging its creditors in negotiations to implement an arrears clearance and debt resolution programme with parties to the talks meeting last week for a second round of discussions in Harare. Following last week’s high-level talks, working groups set up to craft a draft arrears clearance and debt resolution framework will convene two meetings over the next two months before the framework is tabled during the third round of high-level negotiations scheduled for May. ReadMore