Opinions & Interviews

Friendship and development. Zimbabwe’s president on relations with Belarus

Emmerson Mnangagwa

MINSK, 30 August (BelTA) - How relations between Belarus and Zimbabwe are developing and what experience the African state is learning from Belarus was discussed by Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa in an interview with ONT TV channel, BelTA has learned.

Relations between Belarus and the African country began to develop actively in 2023. Zimbabwe is considered a crossroads of the African continent and a logistics hub for Belarus. “It is crucial that we as a nation and people do not shy away from problems but address the issues that require attention. We must be confident that we are listening to the people. We know what those living in villages and cities need and how to help them. The interests of young people change every year. We need to listen to them to respond to these changes in time, because the country is not officials - it is people, and we as authorities must work for their needs,” Emmerson Mnangagwa said about the main concept of Zimbabwe’s strategic development program.

The relations between the two leaders are not limited to political mutual interests. “We are friends,” Emmerson Mnangagwa said of himself and Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko. “We are bound by fraternal, almost family ties, but beyond that, there are the interests of the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Republic of Belarus. Our countries are also bound by very friendly relations. Belarus is more developed than Zimbabwe. And we seek to learn from the progress you have achieved. In addition, our young people go to your country for education and professional training in various fields. This helps them acquire the skills needed for the development of our state. Zimbabwe is a developing country, and we are fortunate to have a partner like Belarus that supports our progress in various areas, especially in the economy.”

The African country’s leader noted that his country, like Belarus, is also under sanctions pressure. “We have been living under the pressure of these absurd sanctions imposed by Western countries for decades, but we have realized: just as the sunrise is inevitable, so too must our people be fed. We have firmly learned that ensuring food in every family and village, and so on to every district and province, is our responsibility alone. Others can only offer help, but the main responsibility and burden lie on our shoulders. A country can be developed globally only by its citizens, its people, not by foreigners. They can only assist. That is our philosophy. And in this way, we gain independence and can be proud of what we have achieved. Everything we do becomes truly ours, Zimbabwean,” the president emphasized.

Emmerson Mnangagwa shared his impression of Belarus. “Personally, when you mention Belarus, the first person I think of is my brother - President Lukashenko and I have a special, personal relationship. Belarus is advanced, one of the first-world countries, while we are a third-world country. And we maintain such relations,” said the president of Zimbabwe. “Who benefits? We benefit - we receive help from a state ready to support us. Many of our students are now studying in Belarus, gaining skills to return and develop their home country. That is why I value these relations, both personal and interstate. And I am deeply grateful for the support that President Lukashenko continues to provide to Zimbabwe.”

The African country’s president also shared the secret of staying in good shape at 83 - proper nutrition and a happy family. “I come from a family of farmers, and I myself am engaged in agriculture - I have my own farm. Every Saturday and Sunday I return there, work, and contribute to the country’s food security, so I am very happy,” Emmerson Mnangagwa said, adding that his farm operates two BELARUS tractors.

The goal of economic cooperation between the two countries by 2030 is mutual trade of $100 million. “Regarding trade, I would like there to be more. But we do not force trade - we only create favorable conditions for it. Belarus is an independent and free country - we do not force people to trade in one way or another. Entrepreneurs and market participants themselves choose the most advantageous directions and platforms, so our task as the government is to create such opportunities for business so that everyone benefits. We are a rapidly developing country in Southern Africa, and it is extremely important for us to help those countries with which we have close ties and on which we focus, as well as to receive support on the path to industrialization,” the president of Zimbabwe said.

He added that he does not plan to visit Belarus in the near future but knows well that he can do so at any time if he wishes, just as the Belarusian head of state would be welcomed in his country at any time. “We have no problems. Belarus and Zimbabwe are family,” Emmerson Mnangagwa emphasized.

print version

make home page

add to bookmarks