Joseph Madzimure-Zimpapers Politics Hub
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa is attending the 81st United Nations General Assembly to reaffirm Zimbabwe’s trust and confidence in the UN and to thank member states for their overwhelming support in helping Zimbabwe secure a seat on the UN Security Council for the 2027-2028 term.
Addressing a Press conference in Harare yesterday, Zanu PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa said Zimbabwe’s engagement with Washington demonstrated that economic diplomacy can transcend political differences when national interests take precedence.
“Deepening commercial ties with the United States presents opportunities to diversify investment, expand trade and support economic transformation,” he said.
Amb Mutsvangwa said meaningful diplomacy was not measured by rhetoric alone, but by its ability to transform international relationships into tangible development outcomes.
He said President Mnangagwa’s administration had progressively pursued the re-engagement agenda, demonstrating a commitment to converting policy into practical foreign policy outcomes.
“As Zimbabwe prepares to take its seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027-2028 term, we do so guided by our foreign policy of being ‘a friend to all and an enemy to none’.
“Our commitment is clear. Equally important, the President is attending the United Nations General Assembly to express Zimbabwe’s gratitude for the universal support we received from member states,” said Amb Mutsvangwa.
He said credit should be given to Zimbabwe’s leadership for creating the space and environment necessary for engagement and re-engagement.
For many years, Zimbabwe’s relationship with the United States was characterised by the imposition of sanctions, political tensions and mutual mistrust.
Amb Mutsvangwa noted that President Mnangagwa was leading a high-level diplomatic and business delegation in New York, the global centre of finance and the headquarters of international diplomacy, at a time when the United Nations General Assembly is in session.
“It is proper and fitting that he is in New York because Zimbabwe will soon assume membership of the United Nations Security Council, the supreme body charged with maintaining international peace and security,” he said.
Zimbabwe received 182 votes out of the 191 member states present and voting during the UN General Assembly election on June 3, 2026.
Amb Mutsvangwa said President Mnangagwa also wished to personally convey his appreciation to the 182 member states that voted for Zimbabwe.
“This is a far cry from the situation we found ourselves in when he assumed office in 2017. We were regarded as an international outcast.
“We were labelled a pariah nation. Many sought to portray Zimbabwe as a failed state,” said Amb Mutsvangwa.
He said that before the advent of the Second Republic, there had been a significant loss of confidence among Zimbabweans regarding the country’s future.
Source: ‘President’s UN trip a diplomatic milestone’ – herald
COMMENTS