Does Zimbabwe deserve to rejoin the Commonwealth?

During the ongoing Commonwealth summit in Rwanda, Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangangwa has lobbied continuously for readmission, 18 years after Zimbabwe’s expulsion from the body due to Mugabe’s accusations of human rights abuses

In the course of the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (CGOHM) in Kigali, Rwanda, Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa has swept in with his appeal for Zimbabwe to be readmitted to the Commonwealth. Zimbabwe has been campaigning for readmission since the summit kicked off last week, 18 years after it was expelled over claims of human rights abuses.

Emmerson Mnangagwa applied on May 15, 2018, shortly after ousting despot Robert Mugabe in a military coup. After the military coup, and the death of Robert Mugabe in 2018, countries such as the UK appeared ready to support Zimbabwe’s return.

Emmerson Mnangagwa has been lobbying Rwanda to support Zimbabwe’s efforts to be readmitted to the Commonwealth to showcase Zimbabwe’s growth. Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Musabayana said he had met with influential people to discuss Zimbabwe’s possible readmission.

“We are humbled to be invited to attend as observers,” Mr Musabayana said.

“There is a lot of interest in Zimbabwe from Commonwealth member countries, who are keen to do business and invest in Zimbabwe,” he added.

Readmission into the Commonwealth is part of Zimbabwe’s efforts to reengage with the West and get sanctions lifted.

Zanu-PF henchman Mnangagwa’s foreign policy of ‘robust reengagement’ with the international community has been based on joining the Commonwealth. For the time being, Zimbabwe is likely to be kept at arm’s length within the international community.

Emmerson Mnangagwa has been slow to implement political and electoral reforms, and the ZANU-PF government has continued with the gross human rights violations that were evident throughout Robert Mugabe’s turbulent ruling.

Mugabe ruled Zimbabwe between 1980 and 2017 with an iron fist, and Mnangagwa has continued this tradition. On the surface, readmission into the Commonwealth would seem to present Zimbabwe with an opportunity to strengthen its foreign policy and improve its deteriorating economic condition. The moves by Emmerson Mnangagwa to rejoin the commonwealth appear to be a diversion from the pressing domestic issues the ZANU-PF leadership is currently facing.

Under Robert Mugabe’s autocratic leadership, there has been rampant corruption, cash shortages, depleted public services, and continuous emergency credit lines to pay off the multi-lateral debt.

Supporting Zimbabwe’s foreign policy is not a surprise to the African community, but keeping Emmerson Mnangagwa at a distance seems the logical choice for the international community. In terms of respect for human rights, Zimbabwe is not yet credible in meeting the principles outlined in the Commonwealth charter.

The Commonwealth Minister refuted Emmerson Mnganangwa’s leadership, mentioning the controversial death of Mbonenni Cube at the CCC rally, which was allegedly committed by supporters of the ruling party ZANU-PF.

Zimbabwe’s chances of rejoining the Commonwealth have been dealt a blow, and it does not seem like that will change until President Mnangagwa commits to improving the human rights situation.