Johnson backs ‘noble aspiration’ for Zimbabwe to rejoin Commonwealth

BORIS JOHNSON signalled his support for Zimbabwe’s return to the Commonwealth as Robert Mugabe resigned.

The Foreign Secretary backed the “fine and noble aspiration” but stressed that the African nation, which was suspended in 2002, had much to do to restore its international reputation before it could be welcomed back.

Mr Johnson said: “There must be free and fair elections next year. It then falls to Zimbabwe to apply to the Commonwealth Secretariat and then to make clear to the Commonwealth and to the world that Zimbabwe fulfils the criteria on human rights, on rule of law, on democracy, that are necessary for Commonwealth membership.”

In his statement Mr Johnson said that he would “not pretend to regret Mugabe’s downfall” but that it could be a “turning point” for a country “full of potential”.

In a separate statement last night Prime Minister Theresa May said: “The resignation of Robert Mugabe provides Zimbabwe with an opportunity to forge a new path, free of the oppression that characterised his rule.

“As Zimbabwe’s oldest friend we will do all we can to support this, working with our international and regional partners to help the country achieve the brighter future it so deserves.”

Meanwhile, Mr Johnson was thrust into a political storm in Kenya after he appeared to become the first senior foreign official to endorse Uhuru Kenyatta’s controversial re-election as its president. The Foreign Secretary handed the Kenyan government a diplomatic coup after he broke ranks with his western counterparts by offering Mr Kenyatta his congratulations in a telephone call on Monday, according to officials in Nairobi.

Other Western missions in Nairobi said they had chosen to delay offering their congratulations in protest against aspects of Mr Kenyatta’s campaign, including the killing of 10 protesters last Friday.

Mr Johnson’s conversation with Amina Mohammed, the Kenyan foreign minister, took place hours after the country’s supreme court upheld Mr Kenyatta’s victory in a rerun election held last month.

The Foreign Office said that Mr Johnson had made the comments during a discussion about the situation in Zimbabwe.

“During the conversation, she updated him that supreme court proceedings had now concluded and the Foreign Secretary rightly congratulated her,” a second spokesman said.