Zimbabwe maintains relations with various countries around the world, and maintains close diplomatic relations with neighboring nations.
Bilateral relationships Zimbabwe has significant bilateral relations with several countries.
Following Ian Smith's Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom in 1965 Rhodesia's diplomatic presence was dramatically rolled back across the world. By the time of the Lancaster House Agreement in 1979 Rhodesia only had representative offices in London, Bonn, Pretoria, Sydney, Washington, D.C. and Tokyo. Missions in Maputo (then Lourenço Marques) and Lisbon were closed in 1975 following the Carnation Revolution in Portugal. Under Robert Mugabe Zimbabwe ran a new foreign policy which operated more closely with African, Soviet and NAM states.
Some white Rhodesians who have left their country following ZANU-PF coming to power have established "embassies" and offices representing a government in exile in places afar as Thailand, Iceland and London.
The capital of the country, Harare, currently hosts 51 embassies. Several other countries have ambassadors accredited from other capital cities, mainly Pretoria and Addis Ababa. Several countries have closed their embassies in Zimbabwe in recent years to protest the policies of President Robert Mugabe, with the Czech Republic and Botswana being the latest to announce their intentions to do so.
Diplomatic relations List of countries which Zimbabwe maintains diplomatic relations with: #CountryDate12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334—35363738394041424344454647484950515253545556575859606162636465—6667686970717273747576777879808182838485868788899091—9293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120121122123124125126127128129130131132133134135136137138139140141142143144145146147148149150151152153154155156157158159160161162163164165166167—
Bilateral relations Africa Country Formal relations beganNotesSee Angola–Zimbabwe relations30 May 1983See Botswana–Zimbabwe relations
Though initially friendly towards Zimbabwe, several disputes between the two countries have soured relations in recent years. Such problems include the fact that Botswana has seen an influx of refugees from Zimbabwe; the building of a fence along the border, and has complained on several occasions of a campaign by Zimbabwe's state-run media against the government of Botswana, where it cites claims of human rights abuses against Zimbabwean's and the claim that Botswana, along with the United Kingdom and other countries were supporting the opposition in Zimbabwe. Recently, relations have further been strained when the government of Botswana lodged a protest against the political violence occurring in Zimbabwe and the detention of opposition members in the country, stating it was "uncalled for"."African call for Zimbabwe unity", BBC, 1 July 2008
Protesting the outcome of the Zimbabwean presidential election of 2008, and the 'illegitimate' regime in Zimbabwe, President Ian Khama boycotted the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit on 16–17 August, which was instead attended by the Botswana Foreign Minister."Botswana president criticises Mugabe" , AFP, 15 August 2008.
Relations have further deteriorated between Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia after the latter two countries withdrew from a Memorandum of Understanding, excluding Zimbabwe and signed a new one to undertake the construction of the Kazungula Bridge Project on a bilateral basis. This was done despite a caution from the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NPAD) to not let politics interfere with the development project."Botswana, Zambia exclude Zim from MoU" , The Zimbabwe Guardian, 12 August 2008.
In November 2008, Botswana foreign minister Phandu Skelemani stated that all countries bordering Zimbabwe should close their borders with the country, to 'bring down Robert Mugabe's government'."Botswana suggests neighbors close borders with Zimbabwe", International Herald Tribune, 26 November 2008.See Kenya–Zimbabwe relations
Following the controversial Zimbabwean presidential election of 2008, Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga urged the African Union to suspend Zimbabwe until "free and fair elections" have taken place."Kenya urges AU to suspend Mugabe", BBC, 30 June 2008 He has also called for the removal of Mugabe."Kenya PM calls for Mugabe removal", BBC, 4 December 2008.See Libya–Zimbabwe relations
In the past Zimbabwe has enjoyed a close relationship with the government of Muammar Gaddafi partly due to their shared animosity towards Western governments. During the 2011 Libyan civil war the Mugabe regime indicated that it will not recognise the anti-Gaddafi National Transitional Council. When the staff of the Libyan embassy defected and joined the NTC after the decisive Battle of Tripoli in August 2011 Harare expelled the embassy, giving them 48 hours to leave the country.See Namibia–Zimbabwe relations
The ruling parties of Namibia (since independence in 1990) and Zimbabwe (since independence in 1980) have been close since pre-independence days, as both were anti-colonial movements against white-minority governments.Zimbabwe heaps praise on Swapo's transition effort by Tangeni Amupadhi, The Namibian, 3 June 2004See South Africa–Zimbabwe relations South Africa has an embassy in Harare. Zimbabwe has an embassy in Pretoria and a consulate general in Johannesburg.
In recent years, following the political crisis in the country, the ex-president Thabo Mbeki mediated with the MDC and Zanu PF to form a unity government, and often remained silent on the issues in Zimbabwe, which drew criticism."Mbeki urges patience in Zimbabwe" , The National Post, 8 April 2008. Following a cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe, the ruling ANC in South Africa became impatient and has urged the parties to form a unity government."Zuma says summit must "force" Zimbabwe deal", Reuters, 7 November 2008.30 April 1980See Zambia–Zimbabwe relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 April 1980.
Initially, the two countries had good relations after gaining independence. However, relations have recently been strained as Zambia, like Botswana, has 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, has said it has lodged a protest against Zimbabwe, against the "sustained malicious campaign against Zambia."
Following the controversial Zimbabwean presidential election of 2008, Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa described Mugabe's Zimbabwe as a "regional embarrassment"."Zimbabwe's neighbours", BBC, June 2008
Americas Country Formal relations beganNotes15 March 1985Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 March 1985. Relations were strained in the 1980s when the government of Robert Mugabe very publicly supported the British position on the Falklands War.No Master, No Mortgage, No Sale: The Foreign Policy of Zimbabwe - H. H. Patel - CREDU, 1987 pg. 151980See Canada–Zimbabwe relations Canada has an embassy in Harare. Zimbabwe has an embassy in Ottawa. Because of Zimbabwe's poor record on human rights and democracy, Canada has imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe which include aid suspension and visa-ban to some members of the Harare government. Bilateral trade totalled C$16 million in 2011, down from C$430 million in 1999. Canadian investment in Zimbabwe is primarily in the mining sector.March 1985See Mexico–Zimbabwe relations
Mexico and Zimbabwe established diplomatic relations in March 1985. Mexico opened an embassy in Harare in 1990, however, the embassy was later closed in 1994. Mexico is accredited to Zimbabwe from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa. Zimbabwe is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.18 April 1980See United States–Zimbabwe relations
U.S. President Jimmy Carter met with Zimbabwean Prime Minister Robert Mugabe in August 1980.Page 380 Notable U.S. Ambassadors Since 1775: A Biographical Dictionary Author Geoff Hill criticized Carter for keeping "quiet as Mugabe nationalized the press, committed genocide against minority tribes and subverted [Zimbabwe's] constitution to make himself the sole source of authority."Page 8 What Happens After Mugabe?
Zimbabwean Foreign Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi summoned U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell on 9 November 2005 and expressed his "extreme displeasure" with comments Dell made a few days earlier in Mutare. Dell had said government corruption had led to food shortages. Mugabe said Dell could "go to hell."Zimbabwe voices anger at US envoy BBC News Dell left Zimbabwe for Washington, D.C., United States on 9 November for consultations after meeting with Minister Mumbengegwi.Ambassador leaves Zimbabwe Zwnews
United States has an embassy in Harare. Zimbabwe has an embassy in Washington, D.C.
Asia Country Formal relations beganNotes19 April 1980See China–Zimbabwe relations
The People's Republic of China supported Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe African National Union while the Soviet Union supported Joshua Nkomo's Zimbabwe African People's Union, competing militant Marxist organizations that sought an end to Rhodesia and the establishment of a one-party Communist state in its place. The PRC's initial investment in Mugabe has continued. China has invested more in Zimbabwe than any other nation with 35 companies spending over $600 million USD. The close economic relationship between Zimbabwe and China is partly driven by sanctions imposed by Western nations in response to the Zimbabwean government's continued human rights abuses.Zimbabwe gets Chinese farm machinery worth $25 mln , Reuters via SABC News
Li Ke, China's Vice-Minister for Economic Relations, visited Zimbabwe for 13 days in September 1980. Mugabe visited China on 13 October and met with Prime Minister Zhao Ziyang.
In June or July 2006, the Zimbabwean government secretly bought Chinese rifles, bullets, anti-riot gear and other military equipment in return for 30 tons of ivory, violating the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species which forbids the sale of ivory. Interpol and CITES, an ivory-watchdog organization, are investigating the sale.Zimbabwe: Country accused of trading ivory for military hardware from China, 27 June 2007. AllAfrica The Zimbabwean government bought six military aircraft from China in 2005 and another six aircraft from three Chinese firms on 23 August 2006.Zimbabwe buys more military jets from China Reuters via SABC News Two days later the Zimbabwe National Army said it bought 127 trucks for $1.2 million.Zimbabwe military plans recruitment drive, mulls pay increases , Voice of America
The Chinese government donated farm machinery worth $25 million to Zimbabwe on 21 April, including 424 tractors and 50 trucks, as part of a $58 million loan to the Zimbabwean government. The Mugabe administration previously seized white-owned farms and gave them to blacks, damaging machinery in the process. In return for the equipment and the loan the Zimbabwean government will ship 30 million kilograms of tobacco to the People's Republic of China immediately and as much as 80 million kilograms over the next five years. John Nkomo, Speaker of the House of Assembly of Zimbabwe, praised China's investment on 24 April 2007 during a state dinner in Harare held during the four-day visit of Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, to Zimbabwe. Misheck Sibanda, the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Edna Madzongwe, President of the Senate, cabinet ministers, and legislators from both ZANU-PF and the Movement for Democratic Change attended the dinner.Zimbabwe: China now Zimbabwe's top investor AllAfrica