Gerald Lemelle, executive director of Africa Action which has been advocating such a modification of the Zimbabwe sanctions regimen, commented in a statement that "this is a promising day for everyone who supports democracy and development in Zimbabwe." He called the legislation "a major step forward for the people of Zimbabwe.” Sanctions on President Robert Mugabe and other top figures of his ZANU-PF party and related companies were put in place with the 2001 Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act, known as Zidera. Read full article.