dyton mupawaenda
Joseph Madzimure-Zimpapers Politics Hub
MULTILATERALISM with the support of regional groupings is the sole instrument towards achieving global cooperation and sustainable peace and security, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has said.
Speaking at the International Interparty BRICS Plus Forum in Russia, Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said although former colonial powers have physically retreated from direct control, they continue to exert influence over developing nations.
“Developing nations, therefore, should champion value addition and beneficiation of their minerals and raw materials. As Zanu PF, we value the BRICS approach to economic cooperation, which prioritises mutual benefit and non-interference in domestic affairs, in contrast to prescriptive and exploitative Western policies and practices.
“The expansion of the BRICS alliance demonstrates the growing confidence in the bloc’s commitment to championing win-win economic cooperation,” said Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri.
She commended BRICS’ plans to encourage the use of national currencies in mutual trade.
“We welcome the bloc’s initiative to create an alternative “BRICS currency,” which will go a long way towards defending our national interests and lowering transaction costs,.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri, who also spoke as the Zanu PF chairman said the party was looking forward to more political and economic interactions among its cooperating members.
“This will have the effect of mitigating the effects all the illegal economic sanctions imposed on some of our members such as Zimbabwe, Russia, Cuba and other countries which pose enormous challenges, causing untold suffering to the people of our nations,” she said.
The meeting was held under the theme; “Indivisible and equal security as key principles for building genuine and lasting international peace”.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said President Mnangagwa has upgraded Russia from category C to category B of the visa regime to facilitate smooth travel for Russian visitors, businesspeople and investors.
“We must therefore use this platform to project on the global stage our commitment and determination to confront neo-colonialism together with all its ills.
“This can only be harnessed by strengthening economic and trade cooperation among our nations for mutual benefit and thus avoiding continued exploitation.”
Zanu PF is steadfast in its solidarity with the people of Palestine and Cuba, which is under the harsh economic embargo for over 60 years by the US, as well as the people of Western Sahara, who are under occupation by Morocco.
She said their fight for independence and self-determination deserve unconditional and unqualified support.
The forum is taking place at the backdrop of many emerging non-traditional security threats such as shifting geopolitics, rampant unilateralism, bullying, incessant and protracted armed conflicts, climate change induced disasters, deepening social and economic inequity, terrorism, disinformation and cyber insecurity among others.
“Our commitment to international peace and security must therefore be influenced by the realisation that in an interconnected world, security threats, especially emerging ones, do not respect international boundaries. Consequently, insecurity in any one part of the globe is insecurity to all of us,’’ she said.
“We are beginning to witness that developing countries are becoming anchors of the United Nations by strengthening its legitimacy and credibility as the guarantor of international peace and security. In our united and collective efforts, we repose in the dictates of the UN Charter which upholds sovereign equality of States and prohibits the use of force in international relations.”
The emergence of regional economic groups such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) together with the African Union has enabled Africa to play an integral role in peace building operations within the continent.
Despite resources challenges, SADC continues to fight against terrorism in Southern African region following its deployment in Cabo Delgado in Mozambique and Eastern DRC while ECOWAS is ceased with the Boko Haram menace in West and East Africa.
Online Reporter