By Evans Dakwa, News Editor
When President Emmerson Mnangagwa assumed the leadership of Zimbabwe in 2017, one of the key policies defining his administration has been the engagement and re-engagement drive punctuated by the phrase, “friend to all, enemy to none.” This has become the hallmark of Zimbabwe’s foreign policy under his stewardship as he has sought to mend broken relationships and restore the country’s battered image.
Now, as news trickled out regarding the UK’s position on Zimbabwe’s application for re-admission into the Commonwealth, a grouping primarily consisting of former British colonies various opinions have emerged.
Some hardliners may not fully understand the positive impact that rejoining the Commonwealth could have on Zimbabwe. This perspective may explain why some propose that Zimbabwe give the UK-led Commonwealth a metaphorical “middle finger” and forget about the group altogether, arguing that the country has managed to survive without it since Southern African nation pulled out in December 2003.
But what does Zimbabwe stand to gain from re-admission into the Commonwealth? The country’s image on the international stage has suffered considerably. The prevailing perception of Zimbabwe is negative, carrying political and economic ramifications that are far from beneficial for the nation or the current regime’s goal of building a middle income economy by 2030.
One economic analyst opines that Zimbabwe’s reputation has declined to the point where only China is willing to invest or provide funding. To buttress his point, he pointed out the limited number of tourists visiting Victoria Falls with most arrivals being organised through tour operators.
“This indicates that the perceived dangers highlighted by foreign media are taken seriously by tourists. Many come with tour operators, see the Falls, and leave without exploring other attractions in Zimbabwe. The country has Grade 5 rivers, the best rafting course in the world at Victoria Falls, and the Falls themselves offer a 5-star resort experience, yet tourist numbers remain low. We haven’t reached our pre-crisis levels, while other countries are experiencing growth,” said the Economist.
He adds that there is a concept known as responsible lending. Zimbabwe has been labeled a human rights violator, making it difficult for private companies to secure financing from global markets, as financiers shy away from countries flagged for human rights abuses.
“If you conduct desktop research on Zimbabwe, you will find a plethora of negative information about our country. Most investors avoid Zimbabwe because of this. The country struggles to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Those who do invest here often hesitate to keep large sums of money or reinvest their profits due to concerns about project timelines and return on investment. This situation is a direct result of the negative perception surrounding Zimbabwe.”
The Commonwealth is a grouping with a favourable global reputation, and Zimbabwe’s readmission could help to improve the country’s image. As a large institution with clear guidelines and best practices, rejoining the Commonwealth would no doubt send a strong message to the world that Zimbabwe is now a far much better nation than what is out there.