- "Zimbabwe is a good ally of Russia on the African continent, with which we have strong reliable friendly ties," Putin stated at the meeting.
- The elections will be the second since the military ousted longtime ruler Robert Mugabe in 2017.
Image: SPUTNIK NEWS
On August 23, Zimbabweans will vote to elect councilors, members of parliament, and their president in the second general election since 2017, when the military ousted longtime ruler Robert Mugabe, who had ruled the country since independence from British colonial rule in 1980.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe has expressed his government's commitment to engaging with countries that demonstrate both interest in and respect for the southern African nation.
"Zimbabwe is a friend to all and an enemy to none. We are engaging with those who want to engage with us on the basis of mutual respect," President Mnangagwa stated, speaking at an election campaign rally in Harare.
The president further called for the lifting of unjust economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, stressing the nation's sovereignty and its need for assistance based on its own priorities.
"We are a sovereign state and others are welcome to assist us based on our own priorities. We call for the unconditional removal of the unjust economic sanctions imposed on the people of Zimbabwe," Mnangagwa said.
In the face of severe Western-imposed economic sanctions on the southern African nation, Zimbabwe maintains good relations with various countries, including Russia, China, Iran, Belarus, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other friendly nations in the Middle East.
During a meeting on the sidelines of the second Russia–Africa Summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin described Zimbabwe as a reliable partner of the Russian Federation on the African continent and commended President Mnangagwa's efforts to enhance comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.
"Zimbabwe is a good ally of Russia on the African continent, with which we have strong reliable friendly ties," Putin stated at the meeting.
Furthermore, amid the ongoing global grain price crisis, Zimbabwe has received free supplies of Russian fertilizer through a Moscow-sponsored humanitarian initiative.
President Mnangagwa's government has also fostered active cooperation with China, particularly in the energy sector. In a recent development, a Chinese-funded expansion project at the Hwange thermal power station was inaugurated, adding 600 MW to Zimbabwe's national grid. This expansion aims to mitigate the power crisis faced by the southern African country.
On August 23, Zimbabweans will vote for a new president and members of both houses of parliament. Among the 11 presidential candidates, the main contenders for the topmost office are incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa of ZANU-PF and opposition leader Nelson Chamisa of the Citizens' Coalition for Change (CCC).
The elections will be the second since the military ousted longtime ruler Robert Mugabe in 2017.