US Targets Zimbabwe Leaders with New Sanctions Over Corruption, Rights Abuses
• US imposes new sanctions on Zimbabwe President Mnangagwa, First Lady, VP, defense minister, and other officials for corruption and human rights abuses • Sanctions include asset freezes in US and travel bans; replace broader sanctions in place for 20 years • White House cites "gross abuses" of rights, restrictions on freedoms, siphoning of public resources • Also sanctions business people like presidential advisor Tagwirei for facilitating state corruption • Zimbabwe government spokesman calls new sanctions "illegal" though welcomes lifting of old sanctions program