President at #UNGA77: A rounded, responsive statesman

President at #UNGA77: A rounded, responsive statesman

Hosia Mviringi

The 77th edition of the United Nations General Assembly, which is currently running at the UN Headquarters in New York City is a typical arena of dreams, yet where very little is accomplished.
The UN has for many years faced criticism for being a toothless dog which lacks the teeth to bite when powerful nations violate its statutes at will.
At this year’s edition, President Emmerson Mnangagwa delivered one of his finest speeches to the world.
Eloquent and full of assertive clarity, the President was unequivocal in his demand for a Zimbabwe free of foreign meddling, either physically or remotely through the illegal use of unilateral sanctions as a tool to manipulate weaker nations.
“Notwithstanding our successes, the ongoing deleterious effects of the illegal sanctions continue to hamper and slow down our progress and the realisation of sustainable and inclusive development.”
“We rain indebted to the SADC region and the African Union, as well as other progressive members of the comity of nations for their unwavering support and calls for the removal of these unwarranted and unjustified sanctions,” said the President.

The President remained firm and unequivocal in the expression of the Zimbabwean national demand to have the illegal embargo lifted unconditionally.
He acknowledged and referred to the report by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Negative Impact of Unilateral Coercive Measures on the Enjoyment of Human Rights, Ms Alena Douhan who visited the country in October 2021.
“We once again call for their (sanctions) unconditional removal. My country welcomes the findings of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Negative Impact of the Unilateral Coercive Measures on the Enjoyment of Human Rights, who visited Zimbabwe in 2021,” said the President.
The report by Ms Douhan condemns unilateralism in international affairs by powerful nations with a clear demand for cessation of international bullying of weaker nations through the application of sanctions.
In addition, the report calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the adoption of political negotiations with Zimbabwe to lift all sanctions.
President Mnangagwa was quick to remind delegates that the United Nations remained the beacon and source of hope for the global citizenry.
As such, he urged the UN to deliver to the expectations of all global citizens.

The President declared his willingness and readiness to take a leadership role within the SADC region in the fight against insecurity and terrorism in the Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado and parts of the Great Lakes region.
The President bemoaned the continued proliferation and financing of terrorism worldwide and especially in Africa, a phenomenon which he said goes against the quest to “Silencing the Guns.”
“Emboldened by our SADC philosophy that an injury to one is an injury to all, we continue to pool our resources to fight terrorism and other threats to peace, security, and stability in our region. We appeal to the UN to render requisite support to our efforts to restore peace to the affected areas,” he said.
In a steady, composed, yet resolute presentation to the world body, the President displayed his awareness of global security trends and needs, and the weighty global expectations on the people of Zimbabwe as a renowned contributor to UN Security and Peacekeeping missions worldwide, to which he reaffirmed the country’s steadfast commitment.
“Zimbabwe stands committed to playing its part for the realisation of peace and security, within various United Nations, African Union, and SADC peacekeeping and peacebuilding missions.”

Given the current financial exclusion of sanctioned and blacklisted countries from the world financial system, President Mnangagwa was unequivocal on the news to reform the world financial system, which he described as ‘inadequate’ to address global challenges.
“The current global financial architecture has demonstrated inadequacies to address the challenges that confront us. Increasing and unsustainable debt burden, the prohibitive cost of borrowing, illicit financial flows and exploitation of natural resources from developing countries, have all combined to relegate developing countries to the periphery of the global financial system. Therefore there is a need for a global financial system which is just, more inclusive, and responsive to the challenges we face.”
According to fearless President Mnangagwa, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) remains the only hope for Africa to attain trade equilibrium with the rest of the world given the largely unresponsive and indifferent World Trade Organisation (WTO).
The current trade imbalance that is large to the disadvantage of Africa is a result of a fragmented Africa negotiating terms with much bigger economies such as the European Union, China, and the US, as well as the lack of a bigger market for African goods within the continent.
President Mnangagwa fell short of declaring that the WTO in its current state must be dismantled as it is responsible for promoting economic hegemony by the global North at the expense of those in the South.
“The AfCFTA must be complimented as we strive to improve production and trade in goods and services. Liberalisation of services and the strengthening of Competition Policy and Intellectual Property Rights, as well as the adoption of digital trade, should also be enhanced.
Turning to climate change, the President had no kind words for developed nations which he accused of paying lip service to matters to do with mitigation of the effects of global warming.
These countries have continued to give beautiful yet hollow speeches every year at such global symposiums as the United Nations Conference of Parties on Climate Change, with very little practical commitment to remedying the effects of climate change which are mainly driven by big industrialised nations.
He reminded the world that he is indeed alive to the promises made at last year’s climate conference at Glasgow #COP26, which commitments are yet to be acted upon, of which he expects action during this year’s edition of the Conference in Egypt.
“It is our hope that at COP27 in Egypt, later this year, the developed countries will deliver more concrete action on climate change, not just for mitigation targets, but also, in relation to adaptation, loss and damage, climate specific finance, technology transfer and capacity building.”

The World was updated on Zimbabwe’s experience having to confront and defeat the Covid-19 pandemic without any international support for the emergency interventions die to the unjust unilateral sanctions regime.
“Despite economic sanctions Zimbabwe successfully implemented its COVID-19 National Response Strategy, anchored largely by our own internal resources and institutional capacities. The proactive approach by my administration enabled the country to achieve high vaccination rates, which extended to children up to 12 years.”
“Meanwhile, our focus on the construction, rehabilitation of health facilities across the country, coupled with the enhanced capacities around bio-technology and the pharmaceutical value chain, attests to my government’s determination to realise Universal Health Coverage,” said the President.
In the spirit of peaceful and progressive coexistence as a member of the family of nations, Zimbabwe, said President Mnangagwa, remains committed to the engagement and re-engagement policy, which the country adopted under the Second Republic to mend old ties while forming new beneficial alliances. This policy thrives on the “Open for Business” and the “Friend to all, enemy to none” mantra which seeks to embrace all nations, either in the East of the West, for mutual socio-economic benefit.

“The policy is underpinned by the principles of mutual understanding and respect, cooperation, partnership and shares values with other members of the international community. We desire to be a friend to all and an enemy to none.”