Fungi Kwaramba in MOSCOW, Russia
PRESIDENT MNANGAGWA is expected here today for the Russia-Africa Summit that runs concurrently with the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum.
The President, who left Harare last night, will participate in his capacity as chairperson of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), after assuming the helm on Thursday.
He was seen off at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport by Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri- Kashiri, service chiefs and senior Government officials.
The summit, which will run from October 28-29 under the theme “Developing Mutually Beneficial Cooperation and Realising the Potential of all African countries together”, aims to consolidate the multifaceted Russia-Africa relations and identify areas for future cooperation.
The summit, the third of its kind, will be co-chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin and African Union (AU) chairperson Évariste Ndayishimiye, who is also the President of Burundi.
It is the most high-profile and large-scale event in Russian-African relations, aimed at promoting comprehensive and equal cooperation across politics, security, economic relations, science and technology, and cultural and humanitarian spheres.
Speaking to journalists last night, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira said the President’s visit forms part of his ongoing economic diplomatic offensive.
“His Excellency will attend in his capacity as chairman of the COMESA region, together with other regional chairpersons of economic communities in Africa,” said Prof Murwira.
Beyond the summit, the President is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with President Putin.
“His Excellency, the President, will also have a bilateral meeting with President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation,” he said.
In line with his practice of engaging Zimbabweans abroad, President Mnangagwa will also address the Zimbabwean diaspora in Russia, most of whom are students.
Prof Murwira said this is consistent with Section 35 of the Constitution, which mandates the protection of citizens’ interests outside the country.
“As is usual, and in terms of Section 35 of the Constitution on the protection of the interests of our citizens outside the country, His Excellency normally addresses the diaspora, and in this vein, he will also address the diaspora,” he said.
“There are many Zimbabwean students in the Russian Federation because of our education, scientific and technical cooperation agreements between Zimbabwe and the Russian Federation. So, His Excellency is expected to do three things: One, address the diaspora; two, attend the Russia-Africa Summit; and three, hold a bilateral meeting between Zimbabwe and the Russian Federation.”
For Zimbabwe, the benefits of the visit are closely intertwined with those of Africa as a whole.
As chairperson of COMESA, a bloc of 21 countries with a collective population of about 640 million and a combined nominal gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately US$1,1 trillion, President Mnangagwa is expected to push for deeper integration into the global economy.
The President, Prof Murwira said, has consistently pushed for economic diplomacy and the need for Zimbabwe and Africa to reap rewards from the global economic order.
“His Excellency has always emphasised the issue of economic diplomacy, making sure that Zimbabwe and Africa are integrated into the global economy. The Russian Federation is one of the largest countries in the world, and it has strategic relationships with Africa. It is within the context of these strategic relationships that cover political, social and cultural, including economic issues, that the meeting will take place. So, this is part of the global integration agenda. This is part of the terms of reference that His Excellency has set for Zimbabwe, and also for the COMESA region, as he is coming as chairman of the COMESA region,” added Prof Murwira.
The Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum includes around 40 panel sessions, whose themes will largely reflect the priorities of Agenda 2063 and other strategic documents adopted by the AU and other African regional organisations.
Particular attention will be paid to sustainable access to water, in line with the AU’s continent-wide theme for 2026 of ensuring sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems.
