Beatrice Kumbana
Political Reporter
www.zimgbcnews.co.zw
Harare, Zimbabwe —The Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) has formally opposed Zimbabwe’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2027-2028 term.
In a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, MRP leader Mqondisi Moyo highlighted the country’s troubling history of human rights abuses as a key reason for their objection.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently launched Zimbabwe’s campaign, emphasizing the nation’s commitment to advancing global peace, counter-terrorism efforts, and the interests of Africa.
The initiative, themed ‘Advancing 21st Century Solutions for Global Peace and Security through Multilateralism’,has already garnered endorsements from regional organizations like the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU).
However, the MRP’s letter, dated September 18, underscores serious concerns regarding Zimbabwe’s suitability for such a prestigious role.
Moyo urged the international community to carefully assess the country’s ‘profound credibility deficit,’ referencing its dark ‘human rights past.’
Central to MRP’s argument is the historical context of the Matabeleland massacres of the 1980s, during which an estimated 20,000 civilians were killed by the North Korean-trained Fifth Brigade.
This brutal campaign, known as Gukurahundi, primarily targeted Ndebele and Kalanga communities associated with the opposition party ZAPU.
Researchers have classified these actions as crimes against humanity, and in certain contexts, as genocide.
“The Security Council, entrusted with maintaining international peace and security, cannot justifiably include a government credibly accused of perpetrating mass atrocities against its own citizens,” Moyo asserted in the letter.
The MRP emphasized that Zimbabwe’s previous terms on the UNSC in 1983-1984 and 1991-1992 were marked by the ongoing Gukurahundi violence, calling it an “insult” to the victims and survivors.
The party advocates for a truth and accountability mechanism, one that incorporates survivor testimony and forensic evidence to address the historical injustices.
Moyo called upon the United Nations to condition any future candidacy for the UNSC on demonstrable progress towards justice, truth-telling, and reparations for the victims of past atrocities.
He also urged the UN to recognize MRP’s protest and include the voices of victims and survivors in discussions regarding Zimbabwe.
As Zimbabwe pursues its bid, the next round of elections for the UNSC is scheduled for June 2026.
If successful, Zimbabwe would join the Council’s 10 rotating non-permanent members, who serve alongside five permanent members: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The MRP’s strong stance reflects a growing call for accountability and justice in Zimbabwe, as the nation navigates its complex political landscape while seeking a place on the global stage.
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