Zimbabwe asks to rejoin the Commonwealth

Zimbabwe has applied to rejoin the Commonwealth, the group said yesterday, marking a major step in the country’s international re-engagement.

Robert Mugabe, who was ousted as president last year, withdrew the country in 2003 after its membership was suspended over violent and graftridden elections the previous year.

The Commonwealth said it had received a letter from President Emmerson Mnangagwa applying to rejoin and indicated a return “when the conditions are right”.