Zimbabwe is prepared to join the BRICS group of nations, the country’s defense minister announced on Monday. Speaking at the BRICS international inter-party forum in Russia, she emphasized that membership in BRICS would enhance Zimbabwe's opportunities for free trade with member states, as reported by Zimbabwe’s state-owned daily, The Herald.
She explained that Zimbabwe strongly believes in BRICS’ potential to counter Western dominance by challenging unilateral decision-making and promoting a more balanced global landscape.
Her remarks follow Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s recent declaration of his government's intention to join BRICS. During an interview with TASS at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), President Mnangagwa disclosed that he had discussed the move with Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 7, where both leaders also agreed to enhance cooperation between their countries.
Several other nations have also expressed their desire to join BRICS. On Tuesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov indicated that one of Moscow’s main criteria for accepting new members is that they abstain from participating in illegal unilateral sanctions.
Zimbabwe has been under US and European Union sanctions for over two decades and has been seeking ways to diversify its economy and address various challenges, including food insecurity. In April, Zimbabwe declared a national state of disaster due to severe droughts, which are expected to leave over 2.7 million people without food this year. In February, Zimbabwe was one of six African nations to receive 25,000 tons of humanitarian wheat from Russia, part of Moscow’s efforts to support food-insecure countries.
On Monday, Harare’s defense minister described BRICS as a non-aligned group that promotes economic growth based on mutual respect and has transcended ideological limitations. She praised the bloc for leading the world towards a multipolar future, stating, “BRICS fully supports our joint plea for universal freedom for all nations and the cooperation of like-minded nations to advance national development agendas.”
