By Staff Writer
FOREIGN Affairs Minister, Amb. Fredrick Shava says he is optimistic on the imminent Commonwealth readmission of the country amid hopes that the decision set to be next year will be favorable.
The Southern Africa nation was booted out of the Commonwealth in 2003 on the back of scandalous rights abuses following the land reform exercises which was unfolded at the turn of the millennium.
Harare dismissed the reasons for withdrawal instead blaming the West for punishing them over the Land Reform and Redistribution Exercise.
The developments fly in the face of earlier indications by the Commonwealth shooting down the country’s possibility for readmission.
“During the course of early 2024, or up to mid-year we should get an answer of what their verdict is. We have been engaging with certain countries.Re-engaging with those who were members of the Commonwealth in 2000, and engaging with others that have since joined as members,” he said.
Shava said he also had a lot of meetings with the Commonwealth secretariat since their last visit sometime early this year.
“We were talking to the current chair.. my counterpart in that country Rwanda- and they did indicate Zimbabwe may be accepted back into the Commonwealth before the next CHOGM.”
Amb Shava said Government’s engagement and re-engagement drive had borne fruit for Zimbabwe this year.
“Starting with the SADC region,I think we have consolidated our relationship with our neighbors in the sub-region.
“This is very clearly indicated by their support of our election results , where Zanu-PF won resoundingly.
“Quite a number of them came or sent representatives to the inauguration of His Excellency,President Emerson Mnangagwa.We have also seen the fight that they are having in Ukraine and it is not our fight.
“We have also seen the devastation that Israel is causing to Gaza.
“We are unhappy with that because there is a United Nations approach for a two state solution for the people of Palestine and the people of Israel,” he said.
