President Donald Trump has reportedly signed into law the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Amendment Act (Zidera) of 2018 (S 2779), as the southern African country's political crisis continues to deepen.
According to NewsDay, the new law, which amends the Zidera of 2001, will effectively extend US sanctions against Zimbabwe.
Its signing comes after the US senate and Congress passed it before the southern African nation’s watershed election last month, said the report.
The European Union and the United States imposed sanctions against Zimbabwe in 2000, after they accused ex-president Robert Mugabe of trampling on human rights, rigging elections and repression of press freedom - accusations that the nonagenarian denied.
The sanctions led to devastating economic challenges, with the country reportedly now sitting with about 85% unemployment.