The British Government has publicly stated that it does not believe Zimbabwe is yet ready for reentry into the Commonwealth, following an inquiry from Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland, who had requested feedback from Commonwealth Heads of Government on Zimbabwe’s readmission by November 26, 2024.
Patricia Scotland had sent a confidential letter, accompanied by an assessment report on Zimbabwe, to all Commonwealth member states, urging them to express any objections to Zimbabwe’s reintegration. The UK has become the first country to openly declare its position, citing concerns over Zimbabwe’s human rights violations, governance issues, and anti-democratic practices under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s leadership.
Lord Raymond Edward Harry Collins, the British Minister for Africa, responded to a query in the House of Lords from Baroness Kate Hoey, emphasizing that Zimbabwe’s record under Mnangagwa, including the use of police and judicial abuse to suppress political opposition, military violence against civilians, and the disregard for the Kgalema Motlanthe Commission’s recommendations, makes Zimbabwe unfit for Commonwealth reentry at this time.
Political actors within Zimbabwe generally support the idea of readmission, provided that Mnangagwa implements necessary reforms aligned with the Commonwealth’s core values, particularly those outlined in the 1991 Harare Declaration and the Commonwealth Charter. These principles stress democracy, rule of law, and human rights—values that critics argue the Mnangagwa regime continues to violate.
Zimbabwe’s failure to address election-related issues, as pointed out in the 2018 Commonwealth report, and its failure to act on the Motlanthe Commission’s findings, are also highlighted as significant setbacks. Furthermore, high-profile arrests and convictions of political figures such as Job Sikhala, Jacob Ngarivhume, and Jameson Timba, often without evidence or due process, have contributed to Zimbabwe’s tarnished reputation in the Commonwealth.
In light of these concerns, Britain has suggested that another Commonwealth Secretariat visit to Zimbabwe be conducted in 2025 to evaluate potential progress. The first such assessment visit took place in November 2022.
As per Commonwealth protocols, readmission is contingent on the consensus of all member states, meaning any objection could delay or block Zimbabwe’s reentry until those issues are addressed. The 2023 Commonwealth Observer Group’s report, led by Kenya’s former Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Dr. Amina Mohamed, raised further concerns, reinforcing the need for serious political reforms in Zimbabwe before considering its reintegration into the Commonwealth.
Thus, while Zimbabwe’s return to the Commonwealth remains a possibility, significant improvements in governance and human rights are required to gain the support of the member states.
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