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Zambia–Zimbabwe relations

Zambia–Zimbabwe relations
Map indicating locations of Zambia and Zimbabwe

Zambia
Zimbabwe

Zambia–Zimbabwe relations are bilateral relations between Zambia and Zimbabwe, two neighbouring states in Southern Africa. Both countries are members of the Southern African Development Community and the African Union.

History

From 1953 to 1963 they were, along with Nyasaland (now Malawi) part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.[1]

Initially the two countries had good relations after gaining independence. However, relations became strained in 2008 as Zambia, like Botswana, reported similar 'smear campaigns' against the Zambian government by Zimbabwe's state owned media, claiming it was "hired by Britain to press for a speedy regime change in Harare." The foreign affairs minister, Kabinga Pande, said it had lodged a protest against Zimbabwe, against the "sustained malicious campaign against Zambia."[2]

Following the controversial Zimbabwean presidential election of 2008, Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa described Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe as a "regional embarrassment".[3] Post-2008, tensions thawed with Michael Sata affectionately referring to Mugabe as "Sekuru" in 2013 at a UNWTO event hosted in Victoria Falls.

In November 2017, a military coup took place in Zimbabwe, during which President Robert Mugabe was placed under house arrest. Initially, Zambia reacted negatively to the military takeover in the neighboring country.[4] However, on 20 November 2017, Zambian President Edgar Lungu called on Robert Mugabe not to escalate the situation and to resign from office. Former President of Zambia Kenneth Kaunda traveled to Harare to conduct negotiations.[5]

On 24 November 2017, Zambian President Edgar Lungu arrived in Harare to attend the inauguration ceremony of Zimbabwe’s new president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, and expressed hope that the two countries would maintain their long-standing good-neighborly relations.[6]

Trade

In 2010, exports of goods from Zambia to Zimbabwe amounted to 1.3 billion US dollars. During the same period, Zimbabwe's exports to Zambia totaled 486 million US dollars.[7] In March 2017, Zambia and Zimbabwe simplified the visa regime between the two countries.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ Africa Today Friends, neighbors, and former enemies: the evolution of Zambia-Zimbabwe relations in a changing regional context.(Southern Africa in the Postapartheid Era) by Scarritt, James R.; Nkiwane, Solomon M.; published 01-JAN-96
  2. ^ "Zambia protests against Zimbabwe". Zimbabwe Metro. 5 June 2008. Archived from the original on 10 June 2008.
  3. ^ "Zimbabwe's neighbours", BBC, June 2008
  4. ^ "Zambia : Zimbabwe lessons for Lungu". Archived from the original on 20 February 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  5. ^ "Zambia : President Lungu sends KK to Zimbabwe to persuade Mugabe to step down". Archived from the original on 11 July 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  6. ^ "Архивированная копия". Archived from the original on 6 January 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  7. ^ "Архивированная копия". Archived from the original on 5 January 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  8. ^ "Архивированная копия". Archived from the original on 5 January 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
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