By Staff Writer
ZANU PF National Chairman Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said the BRICS Plus Forum provides an opportunity for member countries to strengthen common security and lasting peace.
She said this during the International InterParty BRICS Plus Forum on her presentation on the topic Indivisible and Equal Security as Key Principles For Building Genuine and Lasting International Peace.
"It is indeed a great honour and privilege to participate in this prestigious forum as we deliberate on an important topic of ensuring that indivisible and equal security are the key principles in building a genuine and lasting international peace. I do hope that by the end of our deliberations, we will come up with appropriate recommendations that will assist to attain sustainable common security and lasting peace. We take cognisant that sustainable international peace and stability can only be achieved through concerted contributions from all forces irrespective of levels of economic and military development," the National Chairman said.
"This forum is taking place at the backdrop of many emerging non-traditional security threats such as shifting geopolitics, rampant unilateralism, bullying, incessant and protracted armed conflicts, climate change induced disasters, deepening social and economic inequity, terrorism, disinformation and cyber insecurity among others. Our commitment to international peace and security must, therefore, be influenced by the realisation that in an interconnected world, security threats, especially emerging ones, do not respect international boundaries. Consequently, insecurity in any one part of the globe is insecurity to all of us.
"The new phenomenon unfolding and, unfortunately, is an international system which lacks a consensus approach within the UN Security Council to deal with emerging threats. However, despite these unilateralism and hegemonic tendencies, the influence of the world majority is on the rise and prevailing. We are beginning to witness that developing countries are becoming anchors of the United Nations by strengthening its legitimacy and credibility as the guarantor of international peace and security. In our united and collective efforts, we repose in the dictates of the UN Charter which upholds sovereign equality of States and prohibits the use of force in international relations."
The National Chairman added that "It is for this reason that developing countries continue to play a central and pivotal role in the United Nations peacekeeping missions. Peacekeeping missions are the cornerstone of international efforts to promote peace and security as they illustrate multilateralism and global solidarity. Since 2013, African countries have provided the majority of peacekeepers on the continent in support of multilateralism approach. We believe that multilateralism with the support of regional groupings is the sole instrument towards achieving global cooperation and sustainable peace and security. This is why Africa supports calls for the UN reforms and realignment which guarantee a robust platform to contribute to global peace and security. We continue pushing for the developing world to be part of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, with veto power," she said.
"The emergence of regional economic groups such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) together with the African Union has enabled Africa to play an integral role in peace building operations within the continent. Despite challenges of resources, SADC continues to fight against terrorism in Southern African region following its deployment in Cabo Delgado in Mozambique and Eastern DRC while ECOWAS is ceased with the Boko Haram menace in West and East Africa. We therefore appeal to our international partners to render their full support to these institutions so that they effectively contribute to global peace and security. In addition to regional economic groupings, developing countries are realising the strength in forging bilateral and multilateral military cooperation between and among themselves. The African Union Silencing of the Gun Initiative is one such collective multi-stakeholder platform for deliberations on existing and emerging peace and security threats to the continent. Whilst we have these noble actions African countries still look up to well-wishers invest in capacity-building programmes. In that regard, Africa is grateful for the assistance from the Russian Federation and other like-minded forces in areas of defence and security.
"Let me conclude by strongly stating that unilateral actions by some countries around the world have shaken the foundations of collective security and have undermined confidence in the international security system thereby threatening the power and influence of the United Nations in world affairs. In this context, the nature of global security threats that we face today are such that a solution to these problems cannot be found through unilateral actions. Their solutions require collective efforts through the framework of multilateralism to which developing countries subscribe to. Hence, our belief in collective action to global security challenges, has made it possible despite bullying tactics by countries that believe in the imposition of unilateral actions. It is in this light that Zimbabwe appreciates the Russian Federation for leading the initiative in establishing the International Forum for the Freedom of the Nations that endeavours to make the world a peaceful place and conducive to durable development."
ZANU PF Secretary for External Relations, Cde Simbarashe Mumbengegwi also noted that the platform provides an opportunity to strengthen economic relations between countries.
"We are excited that this forum provides an open platform for all to strengthen economic cooperation and trade arrangements if we are to realize economic growth and development through working together for mutual benefit. We are aware that our detractors continue to use neocolonial tactics to manipulate most developing countries, including Zimbabwe, with far-reaching and profound consequences. We oppose this development as it perpetuates economic dependency, further exploitation, and contributes to underdevelopment," Cde Mumbengegwi said.
"This forum provides an appropriate platform for developing proposals aimed at advocating for the abolition of the former colonial powers' domination tendencies, which have evolved into neocolonialism and neoimperialism. Imperialists continue to push for economic colonialism and dependency, which we must combat by supporting a new interdependent and stronger economic grouping, despite massive huddles that may lie ahead.
"As ZANU PF, we value the BRICS approach to economic cooperation, which prioritises mutual benefit and non-interference in domestic affairs, in contrast to prescriptive and exploitative Western policies and practices. The expansion of the BRICS alliance demonstrates the growing confidence in the bloc commitment to championing win-win economic cooperation. We welcome BRICS' plans to reduce the world's reliance and dependence on the US dollar, particularly among African countries, through the use of national currencies in mutual trade. We welcome the bloc's initiative to create an alternative "BRICS currency," which will go a long way towards defending our national interests and lowering transaction costs."
He added that "Though the former colonial powers seem to have retreated physically they remain dangerous and continue to exert influence over developing nations, hindering their industrialization and manipulating development processes. Developing nations, therefore, should champion value addition and beneficiation of their minerals and raw materials. ZANU PF looks forward to more political and economic interactions among our cooperating members. This will have the effect of mitigating the effects all the illegal economic sanctions imposed on some of our members such as; Zimbabwe, Russia, Cuba and other countries which pose enormous challenges, causing untold suffering to the people of our nations," he said.
"His Excellency President ED Mnangagwa upgraded Russia from category C to category B of the visa regime to facilitate smooth travel arrangements for Russian visitors, business people and investors. We must therefore use this platform to project on the global stage our commitment and determination to confront neo-colonialism together with all its ills. This can only be harnessed by strengthening economic and trade cooperation among our nations for mutual benefit and thus avoiding continued exploitation.
"ZANU PF and its leadership stand firm in solidarity with the people of Palestine on the current genocide inflicted by Israel, the people Cuba under the harsh economic embargo of over 60 years by the USA as well as the people of Western Sahara colonised under occupation by Morocco. Their fight for independence and self-determination deserve our unconditional and unqualified support. Finally, ZANU PF is in solidarity with the Russian Federation in its efforts to take every measure possible in defence and protection of their vital security threats."