By Ollus Ndomu
Zambia has called on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) to intervene in a diplomatic dispute with Zimbabwe, escalating tensions that have been simmering since the election of Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema in 2021.The dispute intensified this month when a video surfaced showing Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa complaining to Russian President Vladimir Putin about Zambia’s growing ties with Western countries.
The video, released by Moscow, captured Mnangagwa at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum accusing the United States of fostering military and economic relations with Zambia to isolate Zimbabwe. Mnangagwa sought Putin’s support in defense, security, and food security.
Zambia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mulambo Haimbe, addressing Parliament on Thursday, expressed grave concern over Mnangagwa’s remarks, deeming them an “unwarranted attack on Zambia’s sovereignty.” Haimbe announced that Zambia had verified the video’s authenticity and was seeking decisive action from SADC and the AU to resolve the matter.
“We wish to reiterate that as a sovereign state, we have no interest in moving away from our warm relations with either Zimbabwe, Russia, or indeed our Western partners nor do we have any desire to pitch one against the other,” Haimbe said.
He emphasized the need for an appropriate mediation process to find a lasting solution to the dispute.Tensions between Zambia and Zimbabwe have been high since Hichilema’s 2021 election, with Zimbabwe accusing Zambia of supporting its local opposition.
The situation worsened after Mnangagwa’s disputed re-election in August 2023, when a SADC observer mission led by former Zambian Vice President Nevers Mumba criticized the polls for not meeting regional and international standards.
Mnangagwa was declared the winner with 52.6 percent of the vote, but his main rival, Nelson Chamisa, dismissed the results as a “gigantic fraud.” Zimbabwean officials have since targeted Hichilema with accusations of being a Western puppet mobilizing against ruling liberation movements in the region.
Zambia’s call for intervention highlights the fragile state of regional diplomacy and the importance of mediation in maintaining stability.
The outcome of SADC and AU’s involvement remains to be seen, but the situation underlines the complex interplay of regional politics and international alliances in Southern Africa.
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