Zambia appeals to SADC and AU over diplomatic dispute with Zimbabwe

Zambia has appealed to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) to help resolve its diplomatic dispute with Zimbabwe.

The appeal comes after Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s recent remarks in Russia, which Zambia has described as “an unwarranted attack on Zambia’s sovereignty”.

Zambia’s Foreign Minister, Mulambo Haimbe, addressed Parliament on Thursday, stating that the government is concerned about the contents of Mnangagwa’s remarks, which were made during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Having verified the veracity of the video, government is concerned with its contents which we consider an unwarranted attack on Zambia’s sovereignty,” Haimbe said.

Haimbe highlighted the historical warm relations between Zambia and Zimbabwe, including Zambia’s support for Zimbabwe’s liberation movement.

“The peoples of Zambia and Zimbabwe have always enjoyed warm relationships from pre-colonial times, such that Zambia provided assistance, including military support, to the Zimbabwean liberation movement and allowed our brothers and sisters to operate from Zambia,” he said.

He also noted that Zambia was the first country to call for the removal of sanctions against Zimbabwe in March this year, demonstrating its commitment to peaceful relations between the two nations.

However, Haimbe expressed regret that Mnangagwa’s sentiments do not align with the warm relations between the two countries.

“Regrettably, however, the sentiments expressed by His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa do not appear to accord with the warm relations highlighted above, hence our concern as government and our quest to have this decisively and conclusively addressed,” he said.

During his meeting with Putin, Mnangagwa accused the United States of trying to isolate Zimbabwe and undermine its independence, and expressed gratitude for Russia’s support during the country’s liberation struggle.

He also highlighted areas where Zimbabwe needs support, including defense and security, food security, and mechanization of agriculture.

“We can’t go to the West. We have to come here because the West would want to see us down. They support our neighbors in Zambia and Malawi heavily,” Mnangagwa said.

Zambia has taken issue with Mnangagwa’s remarks, particularly his claim that the US is using Zambia to isolate Zimbabwe in the region. Haimbe stated that the presence of a US Africa Command (AFRICOM) office in Lusaka should not be seen as a security risk in the region.