Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira
Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE has committed to working with all countries, guided by its doctrine of building bridges, if it secures a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in elections to be held tomorrow.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira is already in New York, the headquarters of the United Nations, where he is holding several meetings aimed at strengthening the country’s bid.
Zimbabwe has attended a Security Council meeting chaired by China, engaged with other countries eyeing seats and participated in diplomatic receptions where it has explained its vision and foreign policy principles to the international community.
In an interview from New York yesterday, Prof Murwira said he was satisfied with the ground covered so far.
“Zimbabwe is committed to working with all countries as a bridge builder. Our doctrine is simple: ‘Friend to all, enemy to none’,” said Prof Murwira.
“This is a doctrine of bridge-building. As we came to New York, our strategy was to hold bilateral meetings as well as attend receptions hosted by countries that are also putting forward their candidature to the United Nations Security Council.
“So far, we have been able to attend the Security Council meeting itself, hosted by China, where Zimbabwe was able to put forward its views as well as pitch its bid for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council. We then went on to attend the reception of Portugal and also the reception of the Czech Republic.”
Prof Murwira yesterday said they held bilateral meetings with Portugal, who are also a candidate. “Today (yesterday) we are continuing with our bilateral meetings with the Philippines as well as attending a reception.
“We will also have a meeting with Germany and a meeting with Trinidad and Tobago. In the evening, we will attend a reception hosted by Germany,” he said.
Prof Murwira said it had been a hectic but productive period as Zimbabwe advances its case for election.
“We are making very good progress. We are looking forward to a very good vote. We are optimistic that Zimbabwe will be able to get the support it requires in Wednesday’s vote on June 3, 2026.
“So far, so good; things are looking good. We are following the exact roadmap as approved by His Excellency President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa; the roadmap of pitching Zimbabwe as a ‘friend to all and an enemy to none’, and as a country that is ‘open for business’.
“We are very busy canvassing for support and reminding people what Zimbabwe stands for. Basically, Zimbabwe stands for a peaceful world that respects international law, promotes peaceful coexistence among nations, and advances diplomacy over confrontation through the peaceful resolution of disputes, as demanded by our Constitution.
“We are also reiterating our adherence to and faith in the UN Charter. Zimbabwe’s Constitution is modelled along the objectives of the UN Charter when it comes to international relations,” said Prof Murwira.
Harare views enhanced trade as an instrument of peace, he added.
“Why do we always talk about being open for business? Because poverty is often the root cause of many conflicts.
“Zimbabwe views trade as an instrument of peace. Whenever we are pitching our case, we are talking about being a friend to all, an enemy to none, and a country that is open for business because trade is central to diplomacy.
“If we are able to trade, we build trust among nations, and then we are able to have a more peaceful world. A more peaceful world is a trading world.
“This is the message that we are conveying. In addition, we have very important pillars in our campaign. One is the silencing of guns, achieved through the methods I have already talked about, mainly involving diplomacy, as well as the inclusion of women and youth in conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction,” said Prof Murwira.
Zimbabwe is also looking at sustainability given the threat to humanity brought by climate change.
Prof Murwira said he believes that small developing Island States, such as those in the Pacific and the Caribbean, are under threat from climate change, “but they are not the only ones”.
“As climate change contributes to sea-level rise in the Pacific and Caribbean regions, we are also experiencing increased droughts and stronger El Niño effects in Southern Africa.
“In Zimbabwe, for example, drought frequencies have increased from a cycle of about 10-15 years to now about 3-5 years,” he said.
Political analysts yesterday hailed the strides made by Zimbabwe in its bid for the United Nations Security Council non-permanent seat, saying its presence in the global body would help Africa advance its calls for reform of international institutions.
Political analyst Mr Goodwine Mureriwa said Zimbabwe’s chances of securing the seat were bright and that its presence on the Security Council would give impetus to the country’s engagement and re-engagement efforts, while advancing its calls for multilateralism and global peace.
“Well, my humble opinion is that all Zimbabweans are anxious and would be happy if our card on the table secures a non-permanent seat at the Security Council,” said Mr Mureriwa.
“Our new foreign policy of engagement and re-engagement has supported multilateralism, global peace and prosperity.
“Vision 2030 is highly charged with ongoing growths in agriculture, mining, tourism and so on. Our possible presence at the SC (Security Council) certainly projects Africa’s need for equality at UN and respect of its collective sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.”
Another analyst, Dr Norbert Hosho, said it would be a major diplomatic achievement if Zimbabwe secured the seat.
“Zimbabwe landing the UN Security Council non-permanent seat on Wednesday would be one of the most significant diplomatic achievements the country has recorded in over three decades,” said Dr Hosho, a university lecturer and Zimbabwe Anti-Sanctions Trust chairperson.
“It matters on several levels. First, it is a statement of diplomatic rehabilitation- confirmation that Zimbabwe is no longer on the margins of international affairs but is trusted by the global community to participate in its most powerful decision-making body.
“Second, it gives Africa and the Global South a more meaningful voice at the Security Council table. Africa bears a disproportionate burden of the world’s conflicts yet has historically had little say in how they are managed. Zimbabwe’s presence changes that dynamic.”
Dr Hosho added that an election victory would help Harare advance the principle of multilateralism rather than unilateralism.
“Third, strategically, it positions Zimbabwe to advance the cause of multilateralism and sovereign equality- values that resonate strongly across the developing world at a time when the global order is being contested and reshaped.
“And finally, the sheer scale of endorsement- backing from all 54 African union member States and over 135 nations globally – tells its own story. “This is not a narrow regional win. It is a broad international affirmation of Zimbabwe’s standing and its foreign policy posture,” he said.
Dr Hosho also said a successful bid in tomorrow’s elections would see Zimbabwe move from being a nation “largely spoken about in global forums to one that speaks and decides”.
“That is a profound shift,” he said.
