By Political Reporter-Foreign Affairs Minister Fredrick Shava has been demoted by his boss, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and replaced with Amon Murwira, the former Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science, and Technology Development.

The move comes at a critical time, as Zimbabwe continues to grapple with strained relations with Western nations, rooted in nearly two decades of diplomatic isolation and economic sanctions.

Shava’s ouster is seen as a significant reshuffle in Mnangagwa’s cabinet, particularly as the Foreign Affairs Ministry plays a vital role in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and mending ties with Western powers, which have been sour since Zimbabwe’s controversial land reform program in 2000.

Zimbabwe’s foreign relations took a drastic turn in the early 2000s when then-President Robert Mugabe’s government violently seized land from white commercial farmers, a move that drew widespread international condemnation.

The West, led by the United States and the European Union, imposed targeted sanctions against Zimbabwe, accusing the government of human rights abuses and undemocratic practices.

These sanctions, which Mnangagwa has been vehemently campaigning against since taking power in 2017, have hampered the country’s efforts to attract FDI and rebuild its economy.

Despite Mnangagwa’s promises of reform and re-engagement with the international community, Zimbabwe’s relations with the West have remained largely stagnant.

Investment has been further discouraged by a combination of policy uncertainty, corruption, and a hostile business environment.

Although Mnangagwa has repealed parts of indiginisation laws to attract investment, Zimbabwe’s poor governance record and weak economic fundamentals continue to deter potential investors.