Zim makes bold steps in Commonwealth return

20 Nov, 2022 - 00:11 0 Views
Zim makes bold steps in Commonwealth return

The Sunday Mail

Harmony Agere and Richard Muponde

ZIMBABWE has made giant strides in its bid to be readmitted into the Commonwealth after the association’s assessment team that was in the country last week expressed satisfaction with Government’s commitment to re-engage.

After the visit, the delegation will present a report to Commonwealth Heads of State.

The specific time frame for rejoining the 56-member association is yet to be ascertained, as it is “process bound” and up to the member states.

Responding to a question from The Sunday Mail on the time line for Zimbabwe’s return, Commonwealth assistant secretary-general and head of delegation, Professor Luis Franceschi, said: “It’s a four-stage process and it is a process which is not time-bound, but one which is substance-bound.

“And the substance is basically this assessment that is made by the whole Commonwealth for each of those countries that want to join or rejoin.

“So, Zimbabwe is in the first stage of that process, where information is collected and disseminated to Heads of State and Government.”

Professor Franceschi said, after the collection of information, the team will write a report that will be circulated to Commonwealth Heads of State for feedback.

After this, Zimbabwe will then be invited to make a formal application to rejoin.

“Does this mean this process will take many years? The answer is no; the process doesn’t have to take long,” he said.

“Heads of Government have a period of time that is not so long. It’s about 30 days to give responses and after that, the country is invited to make a formal application.”

Prof Franceschi said he was pleased with Zimbabwe’s commitment to re-engage.

“Zimbabwe has moved very fast and there is a huge commitment from all sectors of society to reach a beautiful conclusion. I want to say there is thirst and desire for re-engagement in the family of nations for re-engagement with Zimbabwe.”

The readmission of Zimbabwe, he said, is likely to be smooth given that the country’s Constitution aligns with the Commonwealth Charter, which is a benchmark for admission.

“It is also a beautiful coincidence that the Commonwealth Charter was signed in 2013, which is the same year the Constitution of Zimbabwe was passed, and that Constitution is very much aligned with the Charter,” he said.

“This means we are travelling the same road hand-in-hand with the people of Zimbabwe, and this will count when we come to our very good conclusion.”

Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ziyambi Ziyambi said the assessment was marked by candid and robust constructive deliberations.

“As President Mnangagwa has said before, these comprehensive system-wide reforms that are being undertaken by the Second Republic are designed, first and foremost, to deliver a better life for the people of Zimbabwe.

“The reforms have not been undertaken in response to the Commonwealth or other outside interests, but these are people-centred reforms designed by our people for themselves.”

Political analyst and executive director at Global Economics 2020 Consultancy Group, Mr Naboth Paurosi Dzivaguru, said the visit by the Commonwealth team confirms the significance of Government’s re-engagement agenda.

“It shows that the New Dispensation has made a monumental departure from the previous establishment’s hostile approach,” he said.

Former President Cde Robert Mugabe pulled out of the Commonwealth in 2003 due to souring relations between Harare and London after the land reform programme.

However, President Mnangagwa’s Second Republic has reset Zimbabwe’s foreign policy on the premise of being “a friend to all and an enemy to none”, which is the hallmark of the country’s current engagement and re-engagement drive.

 Twiiter: @harmonyagere

 Twitter: @richardmuponde

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