Secretary General of the revolutionary Party, ZANU PF, Cde Advocate Jacob Mudenda has challenged Central Committee members to the Standing Committee on External Relations to stay abreast with issues in order to help the Party advance its agenda.
Quoting Article 10 of the Party Constitution as well as Section 12 of the country’s Constitution, Cde Mudenda emphasized the need for them to foster strong relations and promote Zimbabwe’s national interests.
“Comrades, I wish to express my profound appreciation for the singular opportunity to address this critical Capacity Building Workshop on diplomacy and related topics. We are joined today by an assembly of Party leaders, seasoned diplomats, astute policymakers and strategic thinkers whose collective wisdom and unwavering commitment to national duty are indispensable in advancing Zimbabwe's interests within the increasingly dynamic and complex architecture of international relations. Your presence here is a testament to the central role that diplomacy plays in advancing the strategic objectives of our Party and highlights the Government’s significance in enhancing a sound foreign policy anchored on vibrant diplomacy in international relations,” Advocate Mudenda said.
“We convene at a defining moment in both Zimbabwe's history and the evolution of the international system. The global order is undergoing significant transformation as new centres of economic and political influence reshape the geopolitical landscape, traditional alliances evolve and multilateral institutions adapt to become more adaptive towards a contending diplomatic ecosystem. Concurrently, the Global South is asserting its collective voice with renewed confidence, demanding an increasingly meaningful role in shaping global governance and advancing a more equitable international order.
“Against this backdrop, Zimbabwe must move beyond merely responding to international geopolitical developments but instead position itself as an active participant in shaping them. As a resilient nation with a proud liberation heritage, diplomacy has become an indispensable instrument for safeguarding our sovereignty and territorial integrity, advancing our national economic interests and promoting the welfare of our people. It, therefore, serves as a strategic pillar for branding Zimbabwe within the polity of the geopolitical ecosystem in the family of nations.”
Advocate Mudenda commended efforts by His Excellency, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa on the foreign policy which is yielding great benefits for the country.
Comrades, under the visionary and steadfast leadership of His Excellency, the President and First Secretary of ZANU PF, Cde Dr E.D. Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe's Chief Diplomat, our foreign policy has undergone a profound strategic reorientation. Rooted in both principle and pragmatism, this recalibration has positioned Zimbabwe to navigate the complexities and opportunities of the twenty-first century with confidence, purpose and strategic clarity. That strategic foreign policy reorientation is premised on the President's enduring doctrine that Zimbabwe is "A FRIEND TO ALL AND AN ENEMY TO NONE". This Presidential policy underpins the principle of non-alignment which affirms our unwavering commitment to peaceful coexistence underpinned by the exercise of dialogue, the principle of mutual respect and constructive engagement as the most effective means of advancing national interests and addressing shared global challenges. By embracing cooperation over confrontation and partnership over division, Zimbabwe recognises that sustainable solutions to global challenges are best achieved through principled international engagement based on the respect for multilateralism and international law,” he said.
“This approach resonates deeply with the African philosophy of UBUNTU/HUNHU: “I AM BECAUSE YOU ARE. YOU ARE BECAUSE WE ARE”, which reminds us that our shared humanity, mutual respect and harmonious coexistence are the foundations of lasting peace and sustainable development. Guided by these enduring African values, Zimbabwe extends a hand of friendship to all nations and seeks mutually beneficial partnerships irrespective of ideological orientation, geographical location or level of economic development. Such engagement, however, must always be anchored in unwavering respect for our sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order as enshrined in section 12 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.”