Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo-Herald Reporter
Zimbabwe’s resounding victory, which secured the country a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, is a win for the nation, President Mnangagwa has said.
Speaking to the media at State House in Harare yesterday, the President said the result was not about any individual, saying, “it’s not on my shoulders, it’s on the country’s”.
He said Zimbabwe’s success reflected the country’s increasing footprint and standing internationally.
“It’s not on my shoulders, it’s on the country’s; it so happens that I am currently Head of State, but it is Zimbabwe as a nation.
“Indeed, we are in the cockpit of the world, which is very rare and it’s a privilege to be in that cockpit. I can assure you that we feel very proud; it means that we are doing well.
“The world recognises that we are really a rising democracy in our region and you can only achieve such numbers if you are doing well and if you are democratic…ourselves as Zimbabweans, we feel proud,” said the President.
President Mnangagwa expressed gratitude to all countries that voted for Zimbabwe, saying the support was humbling.
He said the vote reflected the successes of the country’s diplomatic engagement and re-engagement offensive, as well as Zimbabwe’s standing as a friend to all and an enemy to none.
Zimbabwe won 182 of 190 votes, the highest tally by any contesting country for the 2027–28 term, sealing a hugely successful campaign.
“Well, I am extremely humbled by the support Zimbabwe has received from the international community.
“It’s very humbling…it means that Zimbabwe has very excellent diplomatic relations with the rest of the international community and I believe that we are doing our diplomatic relations very well. And I believe that if we stay the course, we shall continue to receive that level of respect,” said President Mnangagwa.
Zimbabwe’s victory capped a two-week, eventful campaign by a delegation led by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira at UN headquarters in New York, where efforts were focused on strengthening Harare’s bid for the Security Council berth.
The campaign was launched by President Mnangagwa last year.
Austria, Portugal and Trinidad and Tobago were also elected as new non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.
The newly elected members will serve a two-year term beginning January 1, 2027.
Permanent Council members are Russia, China, the United States, France and the United Kingdom, all of which hold veto powers.
Zimbabwe’s victory yesterday marked the third time the country has served as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, after stints in 1983–1984, where it received 138 votes and 1991–1992, when it garnered 146.
Peter Tanyanyiwa