Since leaving the Commonwealth in 2003, Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has officially applied for the southern African nation to join the Gentleman’s Club. While at the same time inviting a delegation from the former British colonies to observers the General Elections in the country slated for July.
Having formally quit the Commonwealth when then President Robert Mugabe came under intense pressure and criticism for land grab reforms at the detriment if white farmers and disputed election results.
In a statement issued by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, she said ”Zimbabwe’s eventual return to the Commonwealth, following a successful membership application, would be a momentous occasion, given our shared rich history.”
President Mnangagwa is expected to set a date for elections by month end. He replaced longtime leader Mugabe after a de facto military coup back in November. The application to rejoin the Commonwealth was filed on May 15.
As a test of his political ecumen under his stewardship, the presidential, parliamentary and council elections will serve as a boost to the democratic credence under Emmerson Mnangagwa by Western nations, international state lender of last resort such as the IMF could start pouring in money into the country again after nearly a 20-year freeze.
Observer of the upcoming elections will come up with Ms. Scotland calls an ”informal assessment” of their findings, on which the bases to determine Zimbabwe’s re-admission back into the Commonwealth will be drawn.
Neba Benson,
BaretaNews Foreign Correspondent/Analyst
