By Reginald Tapfumaneyi
The enduring warmth between Indonesia and Zimbabwe took centre stage this week as Indonesian Ambassador to Zimbabwe His Excellency Arief marked his nation’s 80th independence anniversary in Harare, invoking the Bandung Spirit and celebrating a friendship forged in shared struggles for liberation and global justice.
Speaking at the commemorative event attended by heads of mission, government officials and journalists, Ambassador Arief emphasized the enduring relevance of Indonesia’s “bebas dan aktif” (free and active) foreign policy.
Rooted in the 1955 Asia-Africa Conference in Bandung, this philosophy promotes peace, justice, and cooperation among developing nations—a vision Zimbabwe shares as a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.
Concrete collaborations between Zimbabwe and Indonesia are underway and these include;
- Agricultural Boost: Indonesian experts are in Zimbabwe conducting artificial insemination to enhance food security, with plans to continue the program through 2025.
- Scholarships: Over 50 Zimbabweans are studying in Indonesia on government and university scholarships.
- Trade and Partnerships: Efforts to expand trade in palm oil, pharmaceuticals, and minerals, with invitations for Zimbabwean businesses to join Trade Expo Indonesia. A Joint Committee on Bilateral Cooperation meeting is set for 2026.
Ambassador Arief urged both nations to tackle global challenges like climate change with solidarity quoting President Soekarno who said “Let us row together, toward a horizon of shared prosperity.”
In a parallel address, Zimbabwe’s Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Albert Chimbindi, stressed that diplomacy and cooperation are vital for development.
“Zimbabwe seeks to deepen economic diplomacy, expanding cooperation in agriculture, mining, education, and health through existing partnerships,” he said.
