Photo: VCG

ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat has called for the immediate removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.

According to an AU statement on Saturday, the latest call made by the chief of the 55-member pan-African bloc is in continuity of his call during his visit to Zimbabwe from 18 to 20 Feb. last year, and in support of Friday's communiqué of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on the issue.

Voices have been heard from different bodies and parties on the continent, calling for sanctions to be removed against Harare.   

Speaking at an inaugural anti-sanctions event in the capital, Harare, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday said that Zimbabwe is fed up with"illegal Western sanctions" and wants them to be unconditionally removed as soon as possible. 

South African ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC) on Friday marched alongside their Zimbabwean counterparts calling for removal of sanctions on Zimbabwe. 

Zimbabwean leaders and selected companies are under targeted sanctions from the U.S. and the west who accused them of human rights violations.

The Chairperson of the AU Commission has reiterated his concerns that the persistance of economic sanctions imposed by the international community, continue to have negative impact on the economy and the people of Zimbabwe. 

In this regard, Mahamat has expressed his determination and that of the various relevant organs of the Union to continue to mobilize support for the country's recovery efforts.

The Chairperson of the AU Commission has commended the government of Zimbabwe for its efforts to create a conducive environment for economic growth and assured the government and people of Zimbabwe of AU's continued support towards the country's road to peace and prosperity for all its citizens.