Story by Oleen Ndori, Foreign Editor
ZIMBABWE’s campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council is gathering momentum, with high-level diplomatic engagements underway in the Caribbean.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira, who is also President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s special envoy for the campaign has begun his mission in Saint Lucia.
This Monday, Professor Murwira held talks with Saint Lucia’s Minister of External Affairs, Honourable Alva Baptiste, in a meeting that marked a significant step in strengthening relations between Zimbabwe and the Caribbean nation. Both sides highlighted shared historical and cultural ties linking Africa and the Caribbean.
”There are plenty of opportunities for us to explore, especially in this very turbulent global environment. There is no blueprint that exists for cooperation and, of course, engagement. We can create that blueprint by Africa and the Caribbean coming together and having meetings to arrive at conclusions and recommendations that could instigate concrete responses within the decision-making bodies of our governments. So today is a continuation of a conversation that started a long time ago, and certainly we are looking forward in a few months to come to sign diplomatic relations with Zimbabwe as we continue to strengthen the ties that we have on the bonds of friendship, so that together we can contribute to world peace and development,” Honourable Baptiste said.
“We can contribute to a more stable global environment, which is necessary for us to be able to develop our respective countries and to hand over a better tomorrow for humanity. I think Zimbabwe has every right to seek a vote from us. If we say we are family, you must start in the family. In the Creole we believe that the arm of the family can bend, but it will never break. So no matter how much we are stretched, that arm of friendship and love and solidarity will never break. Therefore, that arm will be there to give the necessary support to Zimbabwe,” he added.
Minister Baptiste also underscored the importance of Africa-Caribbean cooperation in addressing global challenges, noting that the two regions can work together to promote peace, stability and development.
Zimbabwe’s diplomatic push for the Security Council seat has seen increased engagement with partners across different regions, with support from fellow developing nations viewed as critical.
The Caribbean visit forms part of broader efforts by the Government to deepen relations with countries in the region while rallying support for Zimbabwe’s candidature.
