The Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has officially applied to rejoin the Commonwealth and invited groups of observers from member states of the Commonwealth to send observers to its general elections set for July this year.
Zimbabwe quit Commonwealth in 2003 when the then President Robert Mugabe left the group after he came under heavy criticism over controversial elections and seizures of lands from the white farmers.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said that Zimbabwe applied to rejoin the group on May 15.
#Zimbabwe has applied to re-join the #Commonwealth. The proposal came in a letter dated 15 May to Secretary-General @PScotlandCSG from Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“Zimbabwe’s eventual return to the Commonwealth, following a successful membership application, would be a momentous occasion, given our shared rich history,” Scotland said.
Mr President @edmnangagwa you are joining the commonwealth without consulting the people of Zimbabwe.Why why why.Where is democracy in that process.
Britain has also welcomed the move of Zimbabwe. In last month, Britain said they would ‘strongly support’ Zimbabwe’s return to the platform.
British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson tweeted Monday: “Fantastic news that Zimbabwe … wishes to rejoin the Commonwealth.
Fantastic news that Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 wishes to rejoin the Commonwealth. Wonderful that this follows productive talks at April’s Commonwealth Summit in London. Zimbabwe must now show commitment to Commonwealth values of democracy and human rights.
“Zimbabwe must now show commitment to Commonwealth values of democracy and human rights,” Johnson added.