Zimbabwe Secures Japanese Support for UN Security Council Bid, Strengthens ties at TICAD Summit
TOKYO, JAPAN – Zimbabwe has gained a significant boost in its bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, securing the backing of Japan following a visit by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, officials announced today. The commitment came during the President’s visit to Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) summit.
The Zimbabwean delegation highlighted the nation’s commitment to peace and stability, particularly its role in regional conflict resolution, as key qualifications for the 2027-2028 Security Council term.Elections for the non-permanent seats are scheduled for June 2026.”It’s very clear that His Excellency is on the move, trying to promote Zimbabwe within the comity of nations, and making sure that we are not just there, we are there for productivity, and for the good and progress of our nation and its people,” a Zimbabwean minister stated, speaking on condition of background. “We believe that Zimbabwe is one of the countries that qualify for this seat becuase of the surroundings which we are creating, that of peace and tranquillity.”
The minister emphasized Zimbabwe’s active participation in efforts to bring peace to the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, its current chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and its overall “non-adversarial” and “non-judgmental” foreign policy as attributes aligning with the responsibilities of a Security Council member.
Japan’s support is particularly noteworthy given that some developed countries have imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe in the past. The minister underscored Japan’s continued cordial relationship with Zimbabwe despite these international pressures. “while some developed countries collaborated to impose illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe,Japan continued to cordially relate with Zimbabwe,” he said.
This year’s TICAD summit, held triennially, focused on “co-creation and cooperation” with pillars centered on peace and stability, economic development, and social services. The summit provided a crucial platform for Zimbabwe to advance its interests within the multilateral environment and detail its contributions to international peace and security.
The Zimbabwean government views a successful bid for the UN security Council as vital for promoting national interests and contributing to global stability. President Mnangagwa is expected to return to Zimbabwe today.
Evergreen Context & Key Details:
TICAD: the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) is a major international conference that has taken place every five years as 1993. It is co-organized by the Government of Japan, the United Nations, the African Union Commission (AUC), and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). It aims to promote high-level policy dialog between African leaders and development partners.
UN Security Council: The UN Security Council is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. The Council has 15 members: five permanent members (China,France,Russia,the United Kingdom,and the United States) and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.
Zimbabwe & the DRC: Zimbabwe has deployed troops to the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of the SADC Mission in DRC (SAMIDRC),aimed at stabilizing the eastern region which has been plagued by conflict involving various armed groups.
SADC Chairmanship: Zimbabwe assumed the chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in August 2023, giving it a key role in regional diplomacy and conflict resolution.
Sanctions History: Zimbabwe has been subject to targeted sanctions from the United States, the European Union, and other countries as the early 2000s, primarily due to concerns over human rights and governance. These sanctions have had a significant impact on the Zimbabwean economy.
Fumio Kishida: The current Prime Minister of Japan, assuming office in October 2021.
* Emperor Naruhito: The current Emperor of Japan, acceded to the throne in May 2019.
