Zimbabwe eyes BRICS membership for trade boost

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
19 Jun 2024 17:13

Joining the group would enhance opportunities for free trade with other member states, as reported by Zimbabwe's state-owned daily, the country's Defense Minister said.

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A man is seen raising the national flag of Zimbabwe during a political rally in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Saturday July 21, 2018. (AP)

At a BRICS international forum in Vladivostok on Monday, Zimbabwe's Minister of Defense Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri announced that the country is prepared to become a member of the BRICS group of nations.

Muchinguri-Kashiri noted that joining the group would enhance opportunities for free trade with other member states, as reported by Zimbabwe's state-owned daily, The Herald.

"Zimbabwe, like many of the other countries represented here, has strong conviction in BRICS’ potential to counterbalance Western powers’ dominance by challenging their unilateral decision-making and promoting a more balanced global landscape," the minister said.

Less than two weeks following Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa's declaration to TASS at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Defense Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri's remarks demonstrate Zimbabwe's readiness to join BRICS.

President Mnangagwa disclosed that during bilateral discussions on June 7 with Russian President Vladimir Putin, both leaders agreed to enhance cooperation between Moscow and Harare.

BRICS was established in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2011. This year, the group expanded with the admission of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE as full members. Several other nations have expressed their interest in joining the organization.

On Tuesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said that one of the primary conditions for Moscow to welcome new members is that any prospective country refrain from engaging in illegal unilateral sanctions.

Facing US and European Union sanctions for over two decades, Zimbabwe has been actively seeking avenues to diversify its economy and address numerous challenges, particularly food insecurity.

In April, the landlocked nation declared a national state of disaster. President Mnangagwa cited severe droughts that are expected to affect over 2.7 million people with food shortages this year.

In February, Zimbabwe was one of six African nations to receive 25,000 tons of humanitarian wheat from Russia, demonstrating Moscow's dedication to supporting countries facing food insecurity.