Zim banks on Rwanda

TSITSI CHIYANGWA

Zimbabwe will be following closely the Commonwealth Meeting, which kicked off in Kigali Monday , as it is eager to be readmitted into the group as part of its reengagement drive.

Zimbabwe withdrew from the Commonwealth in 2003 following a stormy diplomatic relationship.

But Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa wants his country readmitted into the Commonwealth to boost his reengagement drive.

On May 15 2018, Mnangagwa submitted an application to rejoin the Commonwealth.

Zimbabwe will be looking at friendly member countries, especially Rwanda, to support its efforts to be readmitted.

Zimbabwe and Rwanda enjoy cordial bilateral relations.

Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs and International Trade Deputy Minister of David Musabayana told Business Times that the Commonwealth presents the Southern Africa nation with an opportune moment to re-engage the global community.

But Musabayana said while Zimbabwe is keen to be readmitted into the Commonwealth, it is not fazed if the readmission quest fails to materialise.

“We have expressed interest to rejoin the Commonwealth but we do not decide , and we are not worried whether or not we are accepted back because we exited on our own volition,’’ Musabayana told Business Times in Harare.

“We want to partake on the table where global players are doing business. That is why we have expressed our interest but whatever comes whether positive or negative it’s not a big issue for us.”

Added Musabayana: “We want to be part of the global village that is our interest , but if there are other people who feel and think we do not deserve we are not the jury and there is a committee that makes that

decision.”

When Zimbabwe applied for readmission, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said: “Zimbabwe’s eventual return to the Commonwealth, following a successful membership application, would be a momentous occasion, given our shared rich history.”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, then Foreign Secretary tweeted saying: “Fantastic news that Zimbabwe … wishes to rejoin the Commonwealth.”

To re-join, Zimbabwe must demonstrate that it complies with the fundamental values set out in the Commonwealth Charter, including democracy and rule of law plus protection of human rights such as freedom of expression.

The membership process requires an informal assessment to be undertaken by representatives of the Secretary-General, followed by consultations with other Commonwealth countries.

Zimbabwe has also sought the support of hosts Rwanda in its readmission bid.

“They (Rwanda) assured us that they are very keen to support us,” said Foreign Affairs Minister Fredrick Shava last year.

“The importance and relevance of this discussion lies in the fact that the Commonwealth conference is held in Kigali, and thereafter Kigali will be the chairman for the next year or so, so we are looking forward to that event.”

If readmitted, Zimbabwe will become the fifth country to rejoin the association – which has 53 member countries – after Gambia, South Africa, Pakistan and Fiji.

The other countries to have quit the organisation are Ireland, which left in 1949, and the Maldives, which exited in 2016.

The last country to join was Rwanda, in 2009.