Zimbabwe’s Commonwealth readmission prospects look...

Zimbabwe’s Commonwealth readmission prospects look positive

Zimbabwe’s readmission to the Commonwealth looks almost certain following the positive sentiments expressed by the Assistant Secretary-General of the grouping Professor Luis Franceschi after his assessment mission in Harare on Wednesday.

“Certainly the conclusion is that Zimbabwe has made very impressive progress on those kind of alignments that were asked by the heads of governments of the Commonwealth to make so as to be aligned to the Charter of the Commonwealth and the values enshrined in the Charter,” Professor Franceschi said.

Read full statement

https://zimbabwenow.co.zw/articles/1203/statement-from-commonwealth-mission-to-zimbabwe-on-conclusion-of-visit

“Our doors were open to everybody and the conclusion we came to from everybody we met is yes and the people of Zimbabwe wants to be part of the commonwealth and should be part of the commonwealth,” said Professor Franceschi.

The Commonwealth ended its mission on Wednesday after holding discussions with various stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations and the opposition.

“All the stakeholders we engaged with – the Government, opposition parties, Civil Society Organisations, religious leaders, and indeed the people of Zimbabwe - are supportive of Zimbabwe coming back to the family. We will work together towards that shared goal to ensure this process reaches its proper conclusion.”

The main opposition political party has indicated reservations.

“Zimbabwe must be readmitted into the Commonwealth on the basis of values, on the basis of a time bound process based and making sure that we stick to the protocols on governance and human rights as well as the test on reforms and sincerity on the part of Zimbabwe,” says Nelson Chamisa the Citizens Coalition for Change leader.

The Zimbabwean government has continued its denial of human rights violations or the abuse of state institutions including the police and the judiciary to silence opponents.

“Concerns raised regarding perceived human rights violations by enforcers of the law and also clarified misconceptions and misinformation regarding the alleged abduction of citizens most of which are stage managed to coincide with major international events. Zimbabwe has absolutely no reason to abduct its own citizens. It is in fact one of the safest and most peaceful place in the world for its citizens and visitors,” says Ziyambi Ziyambi Zimbabwe’s Justice minister.

The Mission team will compile a report to the Commonwealth Heads of Government, who have the final say on Zimbabwe’s application to re-join.

Meanwhile on social media and in the streets, ordinary Zimbabweans continue to debate desirability of re-joining the Commonwealth when other countries are leaving the perceived colonialism relic.