The United Kingdom has stated that Zimbabwe must address governance and human rights issues before being readmitted to the Commonwealth, effectively halting its return to the body from which it was suspended in 2002.
The Commonwealth Secretariat had recommended Zimbabwe’s readmission, giving member nations until November 26 to express their views. However, readmission requires unanimous approval from all member states.
The UK Foreign Office clarified its stance in response to a question by Baroness Kate Hoey in the House of Lords, stating:
“The UK has consistently maintained that Zimbabwe’s return to the Commonwealth is desirable but contingent upon meeting the shared values and principles outlined in the Commonwealth Charter. While there has been progress, further reforms are required in democracy, governance, and human rights before a formal application can be considered.”
The UK pointed out that Zimbabwe has yet to implement recommendations made by the Commonwealth Election Observer Mission. These include addressing concerns about the independence of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, prohibitive candidate registration fees, judicial impartiality, and transparency in election result announcements.
The UK suggested a follow-up Commonwealth assessment mission in 2025 to evaluate Zimbabwe’s progress. It emphasized its commitment to partnering with Zimbabwe on reforms through the Commonwealth and other platforms.
The Commonwealth, comprising 56 nations with historical ties to Britain, has seen calls from African member states for Zimbabwe’s reentry, but the UK’s position underscores the need for substantial reforms before such a move is approved.
