ZANU PF National Chairman and Minister of Defence, Oppah Chamu Zvipange Muchinguri-Kashiri(File photo)
By George Swarei
Moscow, Russia (June 17, 2024)– The ZANU PF National Chairman and Minister of Defence, Oppah Chamu Zvipange Muchinguri-Kashiri, delivered a compelling speech at the International Interparty BRICS Plus Forum today, emphasizing Zimbabwe’s call for greater multilateralism as a critical need for indivisible and equal security to achieve lasting international peace.
Speaking at the forum moderated by Klimov Andrei, Member of the Bureau of the Supreme Council of the United Russia Party, Muchinguri-Kashiri highlighted the myriad of emerging non-traditional security threats confronting the global community. She pointed to shifting geopolitics, rampant unilateralism, bullying, protracted armed conflicts, climate change-induced disasters, deepening social and economic inequity, terrorism, disinformation, and cyber insecurity as significant challenges.
“Our commitment to international peace and security must be influenced by the realization that in an interconnected world, security threats, especially emerging ones, do not respect international boundaries. Consequently, insecurity in any one part of the globe is insecurity for all of us,” she asserted.
Muchinguri-Kashiri criticized the current international system for its lack of a consensus approach within the UN Security Council to address these threats, attributing this to unilateral and hegemonic tendencies by some countries. However, she expressed optimism about the rising influence of developing nations within the United Nations, noting their increasing role in peacekeeping missions since 2013, particularly in Africa.
The minister called for reforms within the UN to ensure that developing countries have a more significant role, including a permanent seat with veto power on the UN Security Council. “We believe that multilateralism, with the support of regional groupings, is the sole instrument towards achieving global cooperation and sustainable peace and security,” she stated.
She also underscored the importance of regional economic groups such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), highlighting their contributions to peace-building operations in Africa despite resource constraints. She cited SADC’s efforts in combating terrorism in Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo and ECOWAS’s engagement with Boko Haram.
In addition to regional efforts, Muchinguri-Kashiri emphasized the significance of bilateral and multilateral military cooperation among developing countries. She lauded the African Union’s Silencing the Guns Initiative and expressed gratitude for support from international partners like the Russian Federation.
Muchinguri-Kashiri condemned unilateral actions that undermine collective security and the international security system, advocating instead for multilateral solutions. “It is in this light that Zimbabwe appreciates the Russian Federation for leading the initiative in establishing the International Forum for the Freedom of Nations, which endeavours to make the world a peaceful place and conducive to durable development,” she concluded.
The forum continues to gather international political parties and leaders to discuss and formulate strategies for achieving sustainable global peace and security through collective efforts and multilateralism.
