Mon. Dec 23rd, 2024

Zimbabwe, which has applied to be readmitted into the Commonwealth, has a strong presence at the ongoing Commonwealth meeting in Kigali, Rwanda.

Ministers from Zimbabwe, business leaders, students, and members of civil society are in Kigali attending commonwealth forums.

Zimbabwe is eager to be readmitted into the group as part of its re-engagement drive after it withdrew in 2003, following a stormy diplomatic relationship with Britain.

Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa wants his country readmitted into the Commonwealth. On 15 May 2018, Mnangagwa submitted an application to rejoin the club of 54 countries from different continents.

Zimbabwean Ambassador to Rwanda Charity Manyeruke, who is attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, welcomed as “a positive development” the extension of an invitation to her country to attend the Kigali gathering.

“Zimbabwe is excited to be participating in Commonwealth forums as this presents opportunities to network with the international community taking into account the government of Zimbabwe’s policy of engagement and reengagement,” Manyeruke said.

“The commonwealth meeting in Kigali has provided opportunities for our Zimbabwean diaspora across the globe who are participating as panelists, facilitators, and as delegates in the forums.”

Added Manyeruke; “I have met with the Zimbabwean Diaspora, media, private sector, academia, civil society, those in finance and banking, arts and students. They have had an opportunity to engage.”

Zimbabwe’s women affairs minister Stembiso Nyoni attended the Commonwealth Women Forum while foreign affairs deputy minister David Musabayana and tourism and hospitality deputy minister, Barbara Rwodzi, are in attending the Commonwealth Business Forum which was officially opened by President Paul Kagame on Tuesday, June 21.

The Zimbabwe Embassy is also exhibiting at the high Commission square where it is showcasing products made in Zimbabwe.

The Zimbabwe Investment and development agency acting CEO Duduzile Shinya said: “We appreciate being invited to the Commonwealth Business Forum. It has given us an opportunity to network with our peers and potential investors. It has also given us the opportunity to present the attributes of Zimbabwe as well as the opportunities in our own country.”

Zimbabwe’s export promotion body, Zimtrade is also in attendance.

The southern African country will be looking at friendly member countries, especially Rwanda, to support its efforts to be readmitted.