KEY POINTS
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- Zimbabwe seeks Canada’s help to rejoin the Commonwealth.
- Allegations of shrinking democracy hinder Zimbabwe’s chances.
- Zimbabwe requests food aid as El Niño worsens hunger crisis.
In a formal appeal, Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF party has asked Canada to help lift the nation’s international isolation and back its bid to rejoin the Commonwealth.
Zimbabwe pushes to rejoin the Commonwealth after years of isolation
Under then-President Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe withdrew from the Commonwealth in 2003, a year that saw violent land seizures by white farmers. Much of the international community now considers the nation to be a pariah state. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has stated time and time again that he wants Zimbabwe to rejoin the league of former British colonies since taking office in 2017.
Zimbabwe must show that it upholds the Commonwealth’s fundamental principles in order to be readmitted. These include preserving democracy, enforcing the law, and defending human rights including the right to free speech. The Commonwealth Charter, which acts as a framework for member states, lays out these ideals.
Representatives of the Commonwealth Secretary-General must conduct an initial evaluation as part of the lengthy membership procedure. Consultations with other Commonwealth nations are then held to ascertain whether the country satisfies the requirements. Allegations of a decreasing democratic space and disputed election results, however, have dampened Zimbabwe’s ambitions and made its chances of rejoining more difficult.
Zimbabwe seeks food aid from Canada amid severe drought
Christopher Mutsvangwa, the secretary for information for Zanu-PF, told reporters following a meeting with Canadian Ambassador Adler Aristilde that the party is depending on Canada, a powerful Commonwealth member, to advocate for Zimbabwe’s reinstatement, according to New Zimbabwe.
Mutsvangwa stated, “We stated our intention to rejoin the Commonwealth, and we hope that Canada, as a powerful member, will support Zimbabwe’s credentials and assist us in re-entering this significant group of friends, which historically means a great deal to us.”
In addition, he requested assistance from Canada to alleviate food insecurity brought on by a drought brought on by El Niño. In order to prevent a humanitarian crisis, Mnangagwa has started a $2 billion appeal, putting over six million Zimbabweans in danger.
