13 Feb 2018

Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Gladys Kokorwe says as the president of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa region, she has invited Zimbabwe to re-join Commonwealth.

In an interview after the visiting Zimbabwean president, Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa paid a courtesy call on the speaker, Ms Kokorwe said she did not discuss the issue with the Zimbabwean President, but has written a letter and would rather follow up with his office.

“We miss Zimbabwe at the Commonwealth, we plead with them to come back,  I will be expecting a response from him about them coming back to Commonwealth Parliamentary Association,” she said.

Zimbabwe pulled out in 2003 after it was suspended from the Commonwealth following the 2002 general elections, which were widely seen as flawed.

Ms Kokorwe however said during the closed door meeting, she told President Mnangagwa that Botswana and Zimbabwe enjoyed cordial relations.

“I said that with confidence because I had the privilege to serve as the Ambassador of Botswana to Zimbabwe, where I witnessed our formidable bilateral relations that have stood the test of time,” she said. She said Mnangagwa’s historic visit to

Botswana clearly demonstrated his commitment and political will to advance the bilateral cooperation that existed between the two countries.

Further, she expressed optimism that Mnangagwa’s visit to Botswana Parliament would create the necessary impetus for building bridges for friendship and cooperation between two legislatures.

The visit, she said, would encourage the lawmakers of the two countries to forge partnerships and cooperation, especially in the important areas of parliamentary democracy, good governance and accountability.

She  further said it was desirable for the two countries national parliaments to collaborate and learn from each other’s best practices, especially as members of the African Parliamentary Union with similar beliefs, principles and traditions.

Zimbabwean President was in Botswana for a two-day state visit at the invitation of President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama. ENDS