Story by Oleen Ndori, Foreign Editor
ZIMBABWE’S campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has gathered significant momentum, drawing support from international partners, academia, and policy experts.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially launched Zimbabwe’s bid for the 2027–2028 UNSC term this Tuesday, highlighting the country’s commitment to promoting global peace, security, and multilateral cooperation.
Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Brahma Kumar, reaffirmed India’s support, stressing that the Security Council must reflect contemporary global realities through reform and inclusion of more voices.
“With elections set for June next year, the bid has been welcomed, with the reform of the Security Council and inclusion of more voices at the centre of these discussions. India has always supported global peace, and we have always said that it is not an era of war, our Prime Minister has already stated. Any political dispute should be resolved through dialogue and not through war and the attack on any other territory, therefore, territorial integrity is very important for us and we hope that during its campaign, Zimbabwe will promote this agenda of peaceful coexistence and also if it wins, and I extend my best wishes to Zimbabwe.
“If they are part of the United Nations Security Council, they will be able to drive the agenda of peace and security around the globe, and they will find India as a very active partner. India will be very happy to support Zimbabwe in its bid for 27-28 membership for the United Nations Security Council, and I think Zimbabwe is supporting India as well for our term for 28-29 in the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member. However, given the changing global and geostrategic scenario, it is important that Zimbabwe can also look at India’s request, where we have been advocating that it is the right time for the United Nations to expand its permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council,” he said.
Academia and international relations experts say the win will elevate Zimbabwe’s voice on the international stage.
“The bid by Zimbabwe for the non-permanent seat of the United Nations Security Council is a very prudent development, particularly for African countries and developing countries across the world, as Zimbabwe, as you all know, is a champion in the fight against neocolonialism. Having a state like Zimbabwe in the Security Council helps make decisions that would prove to be paradigm-altering. And for Zimbabwe as a country, this is a very welcome development as we’ve had years and years of diplomatic isolation, economic sanctions imposed against us, and a host of other problems in the international arena. So being in the Security Council may help assuage some of these issues and give us a better image that may bolster even our economy,” International Relations Expert, Mr Carter Chapwanya said.
“We are saying that there is a need for variety when you talk about the issue of how things are done. The voice of the developing countries is also required. Although we don’t have the veto power, those seats are very critical for the diversion of ensuring that there is more polarity in the world,” International Relations Expert, Dr Levious Chiukira said.
Zimbabwe is expected to continue pushing for its bid for the seat during the 80th United Nations General Assembly, which kicked off this Tuesday in New York.
