As part of its ongoing efforts to repair trade relations with the international community, Zimbabwe has launched “comprehensive talks” around joining the Commonwealth.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sought an audience with British Prime Minister, Theresa May, to “mend international ties”, according to the office of the foreign minister, Sibusiso Moyo.
Zimbabwe was suspended from the Commonwealth in 2002 and when it refused to lift the suspension in 2003, then president Robert Mugabe took the decision to withdraw.
Mnangagwa has repeatedly highlighted to previous trade partners that he is committed to free and fair elections in his country and would focus on economic growth in the country that was once hailed as the “breadbasket of Africa”.
Meanwhile, president Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in the Zimbabwean capital Harare last week Saturday for a consultative meeting with Mnangagwa.
The meeting was intended to further strengthen the strong “economic, political, and social relations” that existed between South Africa and Zimbabwe, Ramaphosa’s spokeswoman Khusela Diko said.
CAPTION
Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa (right) with South African president Cyril Ramaphosa.
