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Elliot Ziwira
Senior Writer
Zimbabwe’s history of struggle against colonialism cannot be eclipsed, which is the reason why the country’s foreign policy objectives are profoundly entrenched in the principles of the liberation war.
Nonetheless, there are those in Western capitals, who sit in elliptical air-conditioned offices to discuss the presumed predicament of the Zimbabwean people, over wafting whiffs of rich cigar smoke and sips of whisky from diamond rimmed decanters, yet they know little of the Motherland’s story.
The people of Zimbabwe have a story to tell, not that it hasn’t been told before, No! It has been told over and over again through many third person voices whose idea of the tale was not only to amplify it, but to distort it.
The original story has been lost in the maze after escaping many mouths and changing battalions of ears over centuries of misinformation. Now, nobody seems to know whose story it really is. Everything about the story is so distorted.
It is this story, which could not be bottled anymore, that President Mnangagwa has been passionately telling the world since August 2018, and even earlier, through his many engagements with the global community.
Like all Zimbabweans, the servant leader’s intentions were informed by the collective desire to safeguard the Motherland’s freedom and territorial integrity, the defense of her esteem and image as well as the search for policies that promote social justice for all. The commitment to attain equitable standards of living for all Zimbabweans drives the nation State’s foreign policy.
On the global stage Zimbabwe is guided by anti-imperialism, anti-colonialism and the formation and upkeep of an international milieu conducive to peace and security, so as to ensure the attainment of set developmental goals.
So what is foreign policy?
Foreign policy is defined as the general objectives that guide activities and relationships of one state in its interactions with other states.
It is the prerogative of the Head of State and Government to craft and enunciate as well as set the parameters of Zimbabwe’s foreign policy. Parliament, too, inputs directly into the country’s foreign policy through debates and ratification of bilateral and international treaties and agreements.
Other Government ministries, the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans Affairs, for instance, also contribute to the creation, shaping and refining to the country’s foreign policy, although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade plays a principal role.
In Zimbabwe’s case, foreign policy comprises goals aimed at outlining and reinforcing how the country interfaces at official level with other countries; regional, multinational organisations and institutions as well as non-state players in pursuit of national economic, political, social and cultural interests.
Constant monitoring and assessment of shifting trends in global politics, guarantee that Zimbabwe realises maximum benefit from its international relations; and promotes or influences change in the policies, attitudes or actions of others. Among many others, such advances may be obtained in economic, political, social or military spheres.
Like any other country, Zimbabwe’s foreign policy endeavours to advance the country’s policy objectives on the global arena. Living up to the fact that national interests are the fulcrum of any country’s foreign policy as they drive its conception, Zimbabwe’s (foreign policy) is an extension of its domestic policy.
The formative years
Independence in April 1980, brought a new dimension to engagement with the new nation State of Zimbabwe joining the community of nations as a sovereign member. Pivoting on the talents of her sons and daughters in the Diaspora, the Motherland sought to Africanise the civil service.
During these formative years, the foreign policy pursued was meant to tap into the vast pool of talent abroad by encouraging citizens in the Diaspora to come home and develop their country.
To boost the country’s qualified personnel, particularly in critical areas, like health and education, sending students to Cuba became one of the hallmarks of Zimbabwe’ foreign policy.
The conception of Bindura University of Science Education was necessitated by that slant. The university was set up with Cuba’s assistance to help the country train its own personnel, instead of sending them abroad.
As a strong member of the Frontline states, total independence of the entire African continent became Zimbabwe’s focus in the 1980s and early 1990s, hence the foreign policy pursued around that period.
Through provision of sanctuary and other supportive services for freedom fighters from the Southern African region, the dream to free all the peoples of Africa from colonial clutches was realised.
Economic emancipation through land ownership was another key driver of Zimbabwe’s foreign policy. Because land to Africans in general, and Zimbabweans in particular, is vital to livelihood routes, its loss through colonialism has been a cause for concern.
Correcting colonial inequalities became the Government of Zimbabwe’s immediate concern. Therefore, legislation had to be enacted to achieve that, and a foreign policy framework enunciated to advance the right of Zimbabweans to their ancestral heritage.
The ZANU policy statement of August 21, 1963, committed the party to, among other resolutions, “repeal the Land Apportionment Act, the Land Husbandry Act, and to replace them with a new Land Redistribution Law; to create a National Land Board to effect an equitable redistribution of land and abolish the destocking of cattle” (Zvobgo, 2017:11).
In the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, Zimbabwe’s foreign policy was mainly focused on political emancipation and solidarity through multilateralism.
As a member of the African Union, the United Nations, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and Southern African Development Community, Zimbabwe has contributed towards security, peace and inclusivity among nations.
The country is also a member of Regional Trade Agreements, which are; the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Trade Protocol, and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Free Trade Area; COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area and the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The new vision under President Mnangagwa
Since the birth of the Second Republic in November 2017, there has been a remarkable shift in foreign policy to concentrate more on economic, or commercial diplomacy that would translate into tangibles for citizens.
Engagement and reengagement are now the mantra as Zimbabwe extends open arms to the world.
Taking foreign policy to another level, President Mnangagwa and the people’s Government angle against sanctions without necessarily being belligerent, but through re-engagement where mutual respect prevails.
The illegal sanctions imposed on the country by the West have brought suffering to ordinary citizens of Zimbabwe, hence, the heightened push to have them removed.
Promotion of trade and investment that will subsequently translate into deliverables for the well-being of Zimbabweans is the philosophy behind the shift in foreign policy as politics alone cannot cut it.
Alive to the crucial import of the Diaspora, the Second Republic, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, engages Zimbabweans abroad imploring them to invest at home, and help in the development of their country.
Achievement scored in SADC
In his quest to heighten relations in the region and foster a peaceful environment with neighbours, the President left an indelible mark after assuming the Chairmanship of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation in 2019.
This saw him providing direction in the promotion of peace and security in the bloc. Under his Chairmanship, SADC agreed to assist Mozambique to fight terrorism, with Zimbabwe pledging to train Mozambican forces.
Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, took a leaf from other SADC Member States through provision of aid to rebuild infrastructure and restore public services in the Cabo Delgado Province of Mozambique.
In February 2022, President Mnangagwa donated 1 000 tonnes of maize to Mozambique’s President Filipe Nyusi to support efforts to fight extremists and alleviate the humanitarian crisis. Also, in 2019, Zimbabwe managed to get the support of SADC in her fight against ruinous economic sanctions imposed on the country by the West, with October 25 being adopted as the Zimbabwe Anti-Sanctions Day.
Bilateral relations within Africa
In an effort to reaffirm the country’s commitment to bilateral relations with other African nations, the Second Republic facilitated the hosting of the inaugural Bi-National Commissions (BNC) session with Botswana under the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Three other BNCs were facilitated between Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Zimbabwe also held Permanent Commissions on Cooperation (JPCCs) with Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Namibia, Zambia and Kenya.
Bolstering mutual relations with China
President Mnangagwa recently extolled China’s role in the global developmental matrix, particularly in developing countries like Zimbabwe, which he implored to partner the Asian economic powerhouse.
Participating in a virtual High-Level Meeting of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development hosted by President Xi Jinping of China, President Mnangagwa said the Global Development Initiative (GDI) was crucial in the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
China has remained committed to the development of its partners in the Global South, a fact that the President is aware of as he reaffirmed:
“Zimbabwe greatly appreciates the continued and increasing investment from China. Trade between our two countries has grown exponentially to US$2,4 billion by the end of 2022,” he said. “This comprehensive bilateral cooperation with China has complemented my Government’s own efforts towards the realisation of the SDGs.”
The President’s words testify his call that Zimbabwe is a friend to all and an enemy to none, a position that has intensified efforts to consolidate ties with nations from Asia and the Pacific in a quest to locate new markets and investments.
President Mnangagwa’s 2018 State visit to China resulted in the upgrading of relations between the two countries to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Trade between the two countries increased by US$430 million, translating to 65 percent.
Zimbabwe’s exports to China increased by 137 percent to reach US$2, 4 billion by the close of 2022.
Amid concerted efforts to throw spanners in the wheel through slanderous media onslaught against China, the Asian economic powerhouse remains unflinching in its backing of African countries, pertinently Zimbabwe, by availing no-strings attached financial, moral and technological support to enhance the country’s socio-economic progress.
The growth in diplomatic ties between the two countries saw the Chinese agreeing to expand the Hwange 7 and 8 Thermal Power Station projects expected, which added more than 600MW to the national grid, thus easing power shortages.
The other ventures are the US$153 million expansion of the symbolic Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, which will be commissioned by President Mnangagwa tomorrow, and the refurbishment of the Victoria Falls International Airport that is a game-changer for the local economy.
Opened to enthusiastic travellers on July 1, this year, the RGM International Airport was revamped by China Jiangsu International, through a loan from China EximBank, beginning from 2018.
China has also aided in the upgrading of NetOne’s Phase 3 ICT services launched in September 2021.
Furthermore, the People’s Republic of China funded the construction of the new Parliament Building in Mt Hampden, about 20 kilometres northwest of Harare, by providing a grant through China-Aid. Feasibility studies were carried out by Beijing Institute of Architectural Design Company Limited in 2015.
It was designed by China SIPPR Engineering Group, and Shanghai Construction Group, a global construction behemoth, was the contractor.
The National Pharmaceutical (NatPharm) Warehouse, in Harare, was another project done with the assistance of China. Zimbabwe and China have collaborated in agriculture and technology exchange, infrastructure development and in the health sector, among other spheres.
Accelerating engagement, reengagement drive
To give impetus to the engagement and reengagement drive, President Mnangagwa undertook official visits to Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in 2019, which culminated in exponential increase of cooperation, specifically with Russia and Belarus.
The visits to Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan were aimed at opening up new frontiers of cooperation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade held the 3rd and 4th Sessions of the Zimbabwe-Russia Inter-Governmental Commissions in 2019 and 2022, respectively, where a number of Memoranda of Understanding and Agreements were signed.
Zimbabwe received Covid-19 vaccines from Russia.
High-level exchanges of visits took place between Zimbabwe and Belarus, leading to the opening of the Belarus Embassy in Harare in February 2022.
One of the biggest achievements by the Second Republic’s re-engagement drive was the visit to the United Kingdom by the President in November 2021 to attend the COP26 Climate Change Summit.
This was the first visit to the UK by a Zimbabwean Head of State in over 25 years. The President interacted with then Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and also met the Minister for Africa in the Foreign Commonwealth, and Development Office, Victoria Ford.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Ambassador Shava, also undertook engagement and re-engagement Missions to France, Belgium, Italy and Serbia in 2021 and to the UK in 2022.
During those visits, Ambassador Shava engaged his counterparts and officials in the respective countries, as well as met representatives of the Business sector that expressed interest in investing in Zimbabwe.
He also attended the 3rd Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit in 2021.
In the spirit of engagement, the Second Republic opened an Embassy in Turkey in 2019. In the same spirit, Zimbabwe hosted senior government officials from the UK (Ms Sophia Willits-King-Head of Southern Africa in the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office), Sweden (Ms Irina Schoulgin-Nyoni, deputy director general in the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs), and France (Ms Nadia Fanton, Head of Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean in the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
Dialoguing with the European Union
Since 2018, the Government has held four Article 8 Political Dialogue sessions with the European Union (EU).
The sessions have provided an important platform for Zimbabwe and the EU to exchange views on pertinent issues, and to explore new frontiers of cooperation.
Furthermore, the political dialogue seeks to enhance greater understanding between the two parties, whose relations turned sour after Zimbabwe implemented its Land Reform Programme in 2000, which subsequently led to the imposition of sanctions by the EU in 2002.
The Article 8 Political Dialogue was launched on June 5, 2019, and it was co-chaired by the Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador James Manzou, and the EU Head of Delegation to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Timo Olkkonen. Subsequent sessions were held on November 22, 2019, June 10, 2021, and June 7, 2022.
The launch of the political dialogue demonstrated Zimbabwe’s commitment to its engagement and re-engagement agenda, following years of isolation by Western countries, and the international community’s readiness to accept Zimbabwe’s initiative.
As a result, Zimbabwe has witnessed an increase in high-level visits and engagements with the EU. Furthermore, a progressive reduction of the EU sanctions imposed on the country was witnessed.
Interest to join the Commonwealth
As part of its re-engagement plan, Zimbabwe expressed interest to join the Commonwealth in May 2018. Following this expression of interest, the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Baroness Patricia Scotland, QC, deployed two assessment missions to Zimbabwe in June 2018 and July 2019, respectively, to gain an appreciation of the functioning of democracy in Zimbabwe, and the extent to which it aligned to the Commonwealth’s fundamental political values.
High-level consultations have taken place between the President and the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth to explore ways of facilitating Zimbabwe’s re-entry into the Commonwealth.
Towards universal cooperation
This week President Mnangagwa was among African Heads of State and Government who attended the high-level 15th US-Africa Business Summit at the Royal Aria Convention Centre in Gaborone, Botswana.
More than 1 000 participants partook in the continent’s largest annual gathering of the US and African leaders, senior government officials, captains of industry, multilateral stakeholders and international investors.
The President was among the speakers at the summit running under the theme, “Enhancing Africa’s value in global value chains”, where he underscored Zimbabwe’s commitment to economic reforms that guarantee safety of investments.
President Mnangagwa, a stickler for constructive engagement, is on record extending open arms to friends, would-be friends, and supposed friends across the world.
To that end, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade spearheaded active engagement with UN organs in Harare. It coordinated Zimbabwe’s participation at various international fora, such as the United Nations General Assembly sessions, the 26th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP26) to the United Nations General Assembly in Glasgow, Scotland, in November 2021, the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, the 2021 Global Covid-19 Summit, platforms, which enabled the nation State to add its voice to issues of concern among the community of nations, and call for the removal of sanctions.
Following the Government’s invitation in November 2018, to six UN Special Procedures mandate holders to visit Zimbabwe, the ministry subsequently facilitated visits by the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Mr Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, in 2019; the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Ms Hilal Elver, in November 2019; and the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, Ms Alena Douhan, in 2021.
The ministry played its part in pushing the political, economic, legislative and electoral reform agenda, thereby contributing to the adoption by the UN Human Rights Council, of the Third Universal Periodic Review (UPR) outcome report in July 2022, in fulfillment of Zimbabwe’s reporting obligations to the UN.
On October 12, 2022, Zimbabwe joined the Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations, a consultative platform of like-minded countries to preserve, promote and defend the UN Charter and multilateralism, and seek solutions to common challenges.
Online Reporter