By A Correspondent

The ruling Zanu PF party has made a plea to Canada for assistance in renouncing its status as a pariah and re-entering the Commonwealth.

At a time when land seizures from white farmers were violent and chaotic, Zimbabwe withdrew from the Commonwealth in 2003 under then-President Robert Mugabe.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has stated his intention to re-join the grouping of former British colonies since taking over from Mugabe in 2017.

Zimbabwe must prove that it upholds the core principles outlined in the Commonwealth Charter, which include democracy, the rule of law, and the defence of human rights like freedom of speech, in order to be allowed to rejoin.

The Secretary-General’s representatives must conduct an assessment as part of the membership process, after which other Commonwealth nations must be consulted.

Zimbabwe’s prospects have been hampered by contested general elections and claims of a shrinking democratic space.

Following a meeting with Canadian Ambassador Adler Aristilde, Christopher Mutsvangwa, the secretary for information for the Zanu PF, told the media that the ruling party is counting on Canada as a key ally to facilitate its readmission.

Mutsvangwa stated, “We also stated our intention to rejoin the Commonwealth and our hope that a powerful Canadian in the Commonwealth could also advocate for Zimbabwe’s credentials so that we join this group of friends which has historically meant a lot to us.”

The Commonwealth is currently evaluating Zimbabwe to determine whether the nation satisfies the requirements for readmission.