Mnangagwa says his re-engagement policy is now paying off

In a couple of weeks, in early December, our Foreign Minister, Dr Frederick Shava, will represent our country at the forthcoming United States-Africa Summit, which takes place in Washington, and to which Zimbabwe is being invited for the first time.

It is my hope that the United States government will look ahead and to the future, rather than looking behind to our troubled and divided past, at this Summit.

Hurtful, illegal sanctions do not pass for diplomacy; if anything, they negate and fail it.

We must use all channels and avenues available between our two nations to re-engage, to break new ground and to embrace each other.

My fellow countrymen and women, we strengthen our diplomacy abroad by consolidating our state of affairs here at home. Our politics must remain peaceful. Our economy has to continue to grow so we become a worthy partner in hallways of engagement and re-engagement.

I am happy that amidst the ensuing global economic turbulence, we have continued to hold our own, including ensuring we consolidate the three lead sectors for our recovery and growth, namely agriculture, mining and tourism.

As the EU’s 2021-2027 Multi Annual Indicative Programme clearly shows, agriculture in this era of climate change and climate proofing is going to be an important plank for international engagement and international diplomacy.

Equally, our growing stature as a global mining powerhouse, particularly in strategic minerals, certainly will consolidate our global diplomacy by making us a valued partner.

The Muzarabani oil and gas deposits, which are now a proven resource, have imparted a new profile to us by making Zimbabwe an energy nation.

The massive deposits in lithium right across our national territory make us a significant player in the global quest for a transition to a new, clean energy era and civilisation.

These strategic finds are in addition to numerous key minerals like gold, diamonds, platinum and iron which we have in abundance, and which the world needs.

Moving forward in the new year, which is now upon us, all our natural resources like minerals and tourist attractions must be mobilised for full spectrum diplomacy, including using these and international boardrooms to change narratives on our nation.

By President Emmerson Mnangagwa

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