Online Reporter
Dr Masimba Mavaza
Today, Zimbabwe stands before the United Nations General Assembly seeking election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2027–2028 term.
It is not just another diplomatic contest. For Zimbabwe, Africa, and the Global South, this seat is a chance to reshape how the world handles peace, trade and justice.
The Seat: A Brief History and Its Weight
The UN Security Council was created in 1945 as the body charged with maintaining international peace and security. It has 15 members: five permanent members with veto power – Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, France and China — and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. The 10 non-permanent seats are distributed regionally. Africa gets three seats. Zimbabwe is Africa’s sole candidate for the 2027–2028 term, endorsed by all 54 African Union states and backed by over 135 UN member states across the Caribbean, Pacific, Asia-Pacific, and Eastern Europe.
Winning this seat means joining the table where decisions on war and peace, sanctions, peacekeeping missions, and global security are made. It is the most powerful body in the UN system.
Why It’s Important for Zimbabwe to Win
- A Voice for the Global South
For too long, the Council’s agenda has been shaped by the interests of the permanent five. Zimbabwe’s platform focuses on multilateralism and inclusivity, sovereign equality of nations, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. A Zimbabwe on the Council ensures that smaller states, African states, and developing economies are not just subjects of decisions, but participants in making them.
- Championing Trade as Diplomacy
Foreign Affairs Minister Professor Amon Murwira has made it clear that Zimbabwe will push trade as an instrument of diplomacy and peace. The logic is simple: economies that trade integrate, and integrated economies have less incentive to fight.
Putting trade and economic co-operation at the centre of security debates is a perspective the Council desperately needs.
- Restoring Zimbabwe’s Standing
Securing the backing of more than 135 countries, including all AU members, signals a shift in how the world views Zimbabwe. Winning the seat would cement that rehabilitation, showing that Zimbabwe is seen as a credible, responsible actor on global peace and security. It is a chance to move the conversation from isolation to engagement.
The Advantages of being a Member
Membership is not ceremonial. It comes with concrete advantages:
Agenda-setting power: Non-permanent members can influence what the Council discusses, when, and how. Zimbabwe can bring African conflicts, sanctions issues, and peace-building to the forefront.
Direct diplomacy: Sitting on the Council means direct, regular engagement with all major powers. That access is invaluable for a country seeking to advance its interests and explain its position without intermediaries.
Shaping peacekeeping and sanctions: The Council authorises peacekeeping missions and sanctions regimes. Zimbabwe can advocate for approaches that prioritise dialogue, African-led solutions, and the lifting of measures that harm ordinary citizens.
Visibility and credibility: Serving on the Council raises a country’s international profile. It signals competence in diplomacy and governance, which helps attract investment, partnerships, and respect in other multilateral forums.
Strengthening multilateralism: By participating actively, Zimbabwe strengthens the very system of rules-based international order it advocates for — a system where big and small states are equal before the law.
The Road Ahead
Zimbabwe’s campaign has already secured broad support through reciprocal arrangements and joint presentations with other candidates like Trinidad and Tobago. The final push involves meetings and receptions to “conscientise the world as to what we stand for.” The message is clear: respect for international law, peaceful coexistence, and the supremacy of diplomacy over force.
Voting is by secret ballot and requires a two-thirds majority — 128 votes of the 193 member states. With AU backing and growing support beyond Africa, Zimbabwe is on a strong footing.
Conclusion
Winning this seat is about more than prestige. It is about giving Zimbabwe, and by extension Africa, a seat at the table where the rules of the world are written. It is about proving that peace is built not only with arms, but with trade, dialogue, and respect for sovereignty.
On June 3, the General Assembly will decide. For Zimbabwe, it is a moment to show that a nation long on the margins can help steer the centre towards a fairer, more inclusive global order.
If elected, the work begins. But the opportunity — to speak, to shape, to lead — is one Zimbabwe cannot afford to miss.
