Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo in Luanda, Angola
ALL decisions impacting Africa must prioritise the involvement of African countries at the highest level, President Mnangagwa has said.
He arrived here yesterday to attend the 7th African Union-European Union Summit, which is underway here, accompanied by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira, Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet (Presidential Communications) Mr George Charamba and other senior Government officials.
Zimbabwe, the President said, remained concerned by trends seeking to weaken multilateralism, bringing to the fore the need to strengthen the UN and correct historical imbalances.
As such, he called for comprehensive reforms in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to ensure that Africa has a significant voice in global governance.
“Of critical importance in this respect, is the reform of the UN Security Council. Decisions affecting Africa must include Africa at the highest level,” he said.
“We commend efforts to advance the compact on Pact for the Future, towards the reform of our global governance architecture.”
The two-day summit, which ends today and marks 25 years of partnership between the AU and the EU, is being held under the theme “Promoting peace and prosperity through effective multilateralism”.
President Mnangagwa called on the EU to actively support Africa’s development priorities.
Reforms to the global financial architecture, he added, were also a priority area that deserves collective attention.
“These must result in fair access to affordable finance, climate funding, debt relief and equitable representation,” he said.
On its part, Zimbabwe initiated the High-level arrears clearance and debt resolution platform, which has registered significant progress.
President Mnangagwa said the world was grappling with economic shocks, inequality, conflict and the escalating impacts of climate change among other new insecurities, all of which require collective responses.
“Under the theme “Promoting Peace and Prosperity through Effective Multilateralism”, we reaffirm our commitment to a just, inclusive and secure international world order.
“Infrastructure gaps are inhibitive to connectivity, logistics, as well as energy and digital access, thereby negatively impacting the competitiveness of Africa’s goods and services.
“Zimbabwe, therefore, calls upon the EU to scale up investments under the Global Gateway Africa-Europe Investment Package, across the priority corridors identified by the AU,” he said.
Zimbabwe, said President Mnangagwa, condemns the use of unilateral coercive measures as a foreign policy tool, as it is in violation of international law.
“The African Union and European Union remain committed partners in peace, security and democratic governance,” he said.
The President then rallied for the EU’s support of Zimbabwe’s candidature for non-permanent representation in the UNSC for the term 2027-2028.
Zimbabwe has already secured the backing of 134 countries in its campaign, comfortably surpassing the minimum threshold of 128 votes required to clinch the post.
Harare has the backing of all 54 AU member states, alongside 80 other countries through reciprocal support arrangements.
“Guided by our principle that sustainable peace must remain anchored on justice, dialogue and equity; Zimbabwe has presented its candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2027-2028.
“We humbly request the continued support of EU member states for our bid,” said the President.
He then reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s standing as a friend to all and an enemy to none, as well as its position as being open for business.
“We stand ready to welcome investments in agriculture, mining, infrastructure development, renewable energy, climate resilience, digital technologies, industrial transformation and value addition, for mutually beneficial prosperity and growth,” said the President.
Among those in attendance together with President Mnangagwa are South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Angolan President João Lourenço, president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, African Union Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the president of the European Council, António Costa.
Speaking during the opening session of the summit, the AUC Chair said Africa was making progress towards becoming a key player in different stages of the global value chain.
The continent’s role as just the world’s raw material supplier, he added, was coming to an end.
“Therefore, we are calling for more balanced trade partnerships.
“I am pleading for European investments in the transformation process of our minerals on the continent. I am calling for the lifting of any tarriff hampering the access of African products on the European market,” said Mr Youssouf.
On his part, Mr Guterres said the emergence of a multi-polar world offered an opportunity for the ratification of historic injustices, ushering a fairer, more equal system for countries long excluded from global decision-making.
“Today’s multi-polarity, to be successful, also needs strong multilateral institutions and dynamics as a condition for stability and equilibrium.
“The partnership between the AU and the EU, two multilateral organisations, and more broadly the partnership between Europe and Africa, are well placed to be a central axis of a new multi-polar world,” he said.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said in an increasingly confrontational global economy, Africa and Europe need each other more than ever before.
“And this is what brings us here to Luanda. Today, we can look back on the progress achieved since our last summit. But more importantly, we will look forward to new opportunities to work together as old friends.
“But also, as trading partners, investment partners, business partners,” she said.
For countries including Zimbabwe, the EU remains a dominant force in automotive manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, renewable energy and high-tech industries, making it a crucial trading partner.
According to ZimTrade, trade between Zimbabwe and the EU has significantly increased over the past four years.
Total exports from Zimbabwe to the EU increased, from US$452 million in 2020 to US$678 million in 2024, a growth that has been driven by demand for tobacco, minerals, and semi-precious stones.
