“We Cannot Be Back to 1884” : President Mnangagwa Demands Global Reform at UN
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to global peace, inclusive development and multilateral cooperation in a message delivered at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday.
The speech was read on behalf of His Excellency by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira, who represented Zimbabwe during the General Debate.
The Head of State said the country’s continued participation in UN peacekeeping missions reflects its dedication to international stability and its desire to contribute to a safer, more secure world.
“We have anchored our foreign policy in multilateralism, guided by the principles of sovereignty, equality and peaceful coexistence among nations.
“We believe that no nation can prosper in isolation”,said the President.
His Excellency emphasised the importance of regional organisations and non-state actors in resolving conflicts and fostering durable peace.
He called for enhanced cooperation between the UN Security Council and bodies such as the African Union to address the root causes of instability.
“Peace is not merely the absence of war, but the presence of justice, equity and respect for human dignity,” he said.
The Zimbabwean leader highlighted the country’s diplomatic efforts within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), including joint initiatives with the East African Community (EAC) to support peace in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
He also praised Zimbabwean peacekeepers for their professionalism and commitment wherever they have been deployed.
Zimbabwe has submitted its candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2027–2028 term.
“We trust that our candidature merits the invaluable support of all member states at the election to be held in June 2026.
“Zimbabwe pursues a doctrine of friend to all and enemy to none,” said His Excellency.
Turning to UN reforms, the President said the ongoing changes under the UN80 initiative must be inclusive and reflect the aspirations of developing nations.
“Any reform that sidelines the aspirations of the Global South runs contrary to the very spirit of the UN Charter,” he said.
The Head of State argued that global governance structures shaped after World War II no longer reflect today’s realities.
“In 1945 a large percentage of the current UN member states, including Zimbabwe, were colonies.
“Africa’s continued exclusion from the permanent category and underrepresentation among non-permanent members is an aberration which requires urgent redress.
“Decisions on Africa cannot continue to be made without Africa at the table. We cannot be back to 1884,” he said.
His Excellency also reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s solidarity with the peoples of Palestine and Western Sahara in their pursuit of self-determination, citing the country’s own liberation history.
He called for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, based on the implementation of the two-State solution to ensure peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel.
The President further criticised the global financial system for disadvantaging developing nations, saying it deepens debt distress and entrenches poverty.
“The reform of the international financial architecture is a critical necessity to unlock development finance.
“We emphasise the importance of a fair and rules-based international trading system that ensures equitable opportunities for all nations, particularly developing countries,” he said.
— Sunday News
