Analyzing Zimbabwe’s Potential Return to Commonwealth Membership

The article discusses the political transition in Zimbabwe following Robert Mugabe’s ousting in 2017, the subsequent electoral challenges, and ongoing evaluations of Zimbabwe’s readiness to rejoin the Commonwealth. It highlights differing perspectives on Zimbabwe’s democratic progress, particularly contrasting views from the Commonwealth Secretary-General and the Commonwealth Observer Group.

In November 2017, Robert Mugabe, the long-standing leader of Zimbabwe, was overthrown in a military coup after 37 years in power. His successor, Emmerson Mnangagwa, appeared to respond to public sentiment advocating for change, even expressing an interest in reinstating Zimbabwe’s Commonwealth membership. The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland, stated that Zimbabwe could be welcomed back once the appropriate conditions were met.

The 2018 elections, however, resulted in violence and did little to reassure the populace regarding governance improvement. Despite the reported progress in Zimbabwe’s compliance with Commonwealth values, the assessment highlighted serious concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. Notably, criticism arose from the EU, US, and the Southern African Development Community, emphasizing that the elections did not meet necessary standards.

As a unique step, a Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) was invited to monitor the elections. Though they noted issues similar to other observers, they refrained from delivering a definitive judgment until their final report was compiled. Early in 2024, this report, pending completion, appeared to indicate that the Secretary-General desired modifications before its public release.

This report’s delayed public presentation contrasts sharply with Commonwealth guidelines that specify timely dissemination of election observation findings. Generally, the COG’s independence should allow their reports to be presented without undue influence from the Secretariat. The Secretary-General’s optimistic assessments of Zimbabwe’s democratic progress diverge sharply from the more cautious outlook of the COG’s findings.

Moreover, the evaluations regarding public enthusiasm in Zimbabwe for rejoining the Commonwealth differ. Baroness Scotland remarked on the reported widespread consensus favoring re-admittance, aligning with the membership criteria established in 2007. Yet, the differing perspectives from internal assessments and the COG reflect significant challenges that await Zimbabwe as it seeks to regain its stance within the Commonwealth community.

In conclusion, although there have been some indications of progress in Zimbabwe’s political landscape since the coup of 2017, significant concerns remain regarding the electoral process and the government’s commitment to democratic reforms. The differing assessments by Baroness Scotland and the Commonwealth Observer Group signal a complex situation. Going forward, Zimbabwe’s future within the Commonwealth hinges on addressing key issues related to governance and the will of its citizenry to support this path to re-integration.

Original Source: www.commonwealthroundtable.co.uk