President Mnangagwa

Mukudzei Chingwere, Herald Reporter

Zimbabwe’s assumption of the SADC chairmanship next month will thrust the country into the front row seat of global affairs as a key contributor to international affairs. Speaking to The Herald, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ambassador Albert Chimbindi explained how the hosting of the 44th SADC Summit will position Zimbabwe in the comity of nations. Ambassador Chimbindi, who is the former Head of Zimbabwe’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN) in New York, said the position that President Mnangagwa will assume next month means he has an extra role to play both at the Africa Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) levels. This could also give fresh impetus to Zimbabwe’s bid to be a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period 2027 to 2028. “You have to look at this in the context of our general foreign policy, not only that we are focusing on economic diplomacy but we also have to make sure that Zimbabwe is part of the family of nations in all facets of international relations,” said Ambassador Chimbindi. “It also shows you that Zimbabwe can take a leading role, not only in the region, when you are the chair of SADC there are other meetings that are organised at the level of the AU, what they call the mid-year summit of the AU. It’s only those Presidents who are heading regional economic organisations who will be participating. ReadMore