‘ Speak with one voice on 2023 polls’

AMBASSADORS representing Zimbabwe should speak with one voice about the 2023 harmonised elections, while also continually driving the re-engagement process, which has seen the country being increasingly accepted across the world.

In addition, the diplomats have been challenged to contribute to the country’s economic transformation, on the back of over two decades of sanctions, the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Frederick Shava stressed these points on Monday during the ongoing five-day retreat of ambassadors and senior management in his ministry underway in Bulawayo.

The retreat is running under the theme: “Retooling Zimbabwe’s diplomacy for accelerated economic transformation through re-affirmation, engagement and re-engagement”.

On next year’s harmonised elections, Ambassador Shava said his ministry must be prepared to counter whatever machinations that come with the poll.

“It is an opportunity for Zimbabwe to once again show the world that democracy thrives here,” he said.

“However, for the world to comprehend and accept these and other good developments emanating from Zimbabwe, we, ambassadors of the country, bear the responsibility to share positive narratives about our country.

“Now more than ever, we need to speak with one voice over the coming election. I cannot overemphasise the important responsibility we have of maintaining the positive image of the country.”

Turning to the economy, Ambassador Shava said Zimbabwe now lives in an era of disruptions.

The Covid-19 pandemic, he said, greatly impacted and changed peoples’ lives.

“The Russia-Ukraine war has further aggravated the disruption, in the process, changing the global order as we know it,” he said. “Our Government has the mandate and obligation to find means and ways to circumvent the current global challenges that negatively impact on our economy.

“Diplomats are a key cog in this endeavour. Remember, we have a key and unique role to play in fulfilling the national vision, a vision for which we are accountable to our people who are all keen to witness the achievement of a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society by 2030 through our National Development Strategy 1.”

Ambassador Shava challenged the diplomats to determine and refine viable strategies and options that Zimbabwe’s missions can use to deepen engagements with host governments and the private sector.

Zimbabwe’s re-engagement policy has largely borne fruit, as the country’s visibility on the international stage is at its highest, compared to any other time in the last two decades, said Ambassador Shava.

Diplomats were also encouraged to continue drawing inspiration from the heights that Zimbabwe has scaled in the last five years under President Mnangagwa’s leadership.

“In the same period, and more so over the last year, we have recorded impressive successes in placing Zimbabweans in international organisations,” said Ambassador Shava. “This not only highlights the re-acceptance of Zimbabwe among the community of nations, but also the recognition of Zimbabwe as a country with a high calibre of human capital.”

Chief Fortune Charumbira was in July elected president of the Pan-African Parliament, while Mr Cosmas Zavazava was recently elected as director of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecommunication Development Bureau.

Ambassador Shava urged diplomats to promote Zimbabwe’s candidature for a seat as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2027.

He then thanked countries that have stood in solidarity with Zimbabwe in its fight against illegal sanctions imposed by the West.

“We are forever grateful to SADC, the African Union and individual friendly countries across the world who have piled pressure on the West to remove sanctions on our country,” he said.

Zimbabwe had made great strides in terms of trade inflows, with exports so far at US$3,3 billion, representing a 31 percent rise from the US$2,52 billion recorded in the same period last year.

“Let us strive to increase our exports to non-traditional and untapped markets,” said Ambassador Shava. “We have made great inroads into the Middle East market, specifically in the UAE, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. We need to continue searching for new markets for our goods and scout for more investors for our economy.

“As Zimbabwean diplomats, you are expected to become marketers for your country. Zimbabwe has to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area whose implementation has been put in motion.

“To understand the nature of markets, diplomats should experience first-hand their country of assignment.