Diplomats speak on election victory

Sunday Mail Reporter

ZIMBABWE’S ambassadors stationed in various countries have congratulated President Mnangagwa on his election victory, which they say affords him the opportunity to lead Government in consolidating the economic growth witnessed over the last five years.

President Mnangagwa garnered 52,6 percent of the vote in the August 23 election, beating his closest rival and Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) candidate Mr Nelson Chamisa, who had 44 percent.

In a congratulatory statement on Friday, Dean of Zimbabwe’s ambassadors, who is also Zimbabwe’s chief diplomat to Ghana, Ambassador Kufa Edward Chinoza, said: “As your ambassadors, we have trust and confidence that you will once again ably serve as the President of our great country, Zimbabwe.”

Ambassador Chinoza said the President’s re-election is an endorsement by the people of Zimbabwe of his sound leadership and vision.

“On behalf of all Zimbabwean ambassadors, and indeed on my own behalf, I would like to congratulate you, Your Excellency, Dr E.D. Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and First Secretary of ZANU PF, for winning the presidential elections on August 26, 2023.

“As your ambassadors, we wish to take this opportunity to wish you, Your Excellency, personal good health and your family, as you lead our great nation for the next five years,” Ambassador Chinoza said.

President Mnangagwa has prioritised economic diplomacy, which has seen Government encouraging diplomatic missions to grow trade and lure investors from their various workstations back into the country. Ambassador Chinoza said the diplomats are dedicated to implementing this vision.

“We remain committed to further implement the country’s foreign policy on reaffirmation, engagement and re-engagement in order to grow our economy and attain the vision of an upper middle-income economy by 2030.”

Several leaders from around the globe — including Tanzanian President Mrs Samia Suluhu, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, Namibian President Hage Geingob, Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa — have already delivered congratulatory messages to the President. Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Mahmoud Abbas of the State of Palestine also sent their congratulations