winning formula

Zimbabwe/Belarus: Mnangagwa’s wife plays politics as Lukashenko looking for Ukraine support

By Farai Shawn Matiashe

Reserved for subscribers

Posted on April 4, 2023 11:08

The trip to Minsk by Zimbabwean Foreign Affairs Minister Frederick Shava last month was apparently a mere complimentary to President Alexander Lukashenko’s earlier state visit to Harare. However, analysts say given that the meetings between the two nations are always shrouded in secrecy and lack of transparency, the Belarusian leader is likely to be using the opportunity to solicit more resources for Vladimir Putin, whose troops invaded Ukraine more than a year ago.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s wife Auxillia, the country’s health ambassador, is also set to visit Belarus to source health supplies, including baby food, according to Lukashenko, who’s dubbed as Europe’s last dictator.

Even as the West and other nations around the world have been condemning Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Zimbabwe has instead remained neutral by abstaining and voting No at the UN General Assembly’s resolutions against Moscow.

There's more to this story

Get unlimited access to our exclusive journalism and features today. Our award-winning team of correspondents and editors report from over 54 African countries, from Cape Town to Cairo, from Abidjan to Abuja to Addis Ababa. Africa. Unlocked.

Subscribe Now

cancel anytime

Already a a subscriber Sign In