The US government has sanctioned Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa amid allegations of corruption, which includes gold and diamond smuggling.
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has alleged that Mnangagwa protects gold and diamond smuggling operations networks in Zimbabwe.
He is also accused of directing officials to facilitate the sale of gold and diamonds in illicit markets.
“Emmerson Mnangagwa (Mnangagwa) is the President of Zimbabwe and is involved in corrupt activities, in particular those relating to gold and diamond smuggling networks,” the statement reads.
“Mnangagwa provides a protective shield to smugglers to operate in Zimbabwe and has directed Zimbabwean officials to facilitate the sale of gold and diamonds in illicit markets, taking bribes in exchange for his services.
It continues: “Mnangagwa also oversees Zimbabwe’s security services, which have violently repressed political opponents and civil society groups.”
Official response
Mnangagwa has challenged US President Joe Biden to provide evidence of the allegations against him or withdraw the sanctions.
“We condemn these malicious statements as completely uncalled for, defamatory, provocative, and a continuation of wanton hostilities against Zimbabwe by the US government,” said George Charamba, a spokesman for the Zimbabwean president.
“We demand that the Biden administration provides evidence in support of these gratuitous accusations. Failure to which the administration must, without any further delay, withdraw them unconditionally.”
Mnangagwa has been president of Zimbabwe since November 2017.
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