Foreign relations of Zimbabwe

• Algeria has an embassy in Harare

• Angola has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Luanda

Angola-Zimbabwe relations have remained cordial since the birth of both states, Angola in 1975 and Zimbabwe in 1980, during the Cold War. While Angola's foreign policy shifted to a pro-U.S. stance based on substantial economic ties, under the rule of President Robert Mugabe Zimbabwe's ties with the West soured in the late 1990s.

• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Gaborone

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,[5] 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.[6] 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".[7][8]

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.[9]

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.[10]

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'.[11]

• Cape Verde has an accredited mission in Luanda

• Democratic Republic of the Congo has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Kinshasa

• Republic of the Congo has an accredited mission in Pretoria

• Egypt has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Cairo

• Ethiopia has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Addis Ababa

• Ghana has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Accra

• Guinea has an accredited mission in Pretoria

• Kenya has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Nairobi

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.[12] He has also called for the removal of Mugabe.[13]

• Lesotho has an accredited mission in Pretoria

• Libya has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Tripoli

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.[14][15]

• Malawi has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Lilongwe

• Mauritius has an accredited mission in Pretoria

• Mozambique has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Maputo and a consulate general in Beira

• Namibia has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Windhoek

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.[16]

• Nigeria has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Abuja

• Rwanda has an accredited mission in Pretoria

• The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic has an accredited mission in Maputo.

• Sierra Leone has an accredited mission in Addis Ababa

• South Africa has a mission 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.[17] Following a cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe, the ruling ANC in South Africa became impatient and has urged the parties to form a unity government.[18]

• Sudan has an embassy in Harare.

• Swaziland has an accredited mission in Pretoria

• Tanzania has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Dar es Salaam

• Tunisia has an accredited mission in Pretoria.

• Uganda has an accredited mission in Pretoria

• Zambia has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Lusaka

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."[19]

Following the controversial Zimbabwean presidential election of 2008, Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa described Mugabe's Zimbabwe as a "regional embarrassment".[20]

• Argentina is accredited to Zimbabwe from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.

• Bahamas is accredited to Zimbabwe from its high commission in Ottawa, Canada.

• Brazil has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Brasília.

Embassy of Zimbabwe in Ottawa

• 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.[21]

• Chile is accredited to Zimbabwe from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.

• Cuba has an embassy in Harare.
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Havana.

"In the face of Western domination, Cuba is a beacon of hope against imperialism. Cuba is fighting to remove sanctions in their country and Zimbabwe is doing the same. We have a lot to learn from Cuba which started its revolution in 1959. We will continue with our solidarity, continue with the struggle and strengthen our co-operation."

— Arthur Mutambara, Zimbabwe's Deputy Prime Minister[22]

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 June 1980.[23]

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.[24]

• Mexico is accredited to Zimbabwe from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.[25]
• Zimbabwe is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.[26]

• Peru is accredited to Zimbabwe from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.

Embassy of Zimbabwe in Washington

See United States–Zimbabwe relations

• United States has an embassy in Harare.
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Washington, D.C.

United States President Jimmy Carter met with Zimbabwean Prime Minister Robert Mugabe in August 1980.[27] 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."[28]

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."[29] Dell left Zimbabwe for Washington, D.C., United States on 9 November for consultations after meeting with Minister Mumbengegwi.[30]

• Uruguay is accredited to Zimbabwe from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1992.[31]

• Bangladesh has an accredited mission in Pretoria

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.[1] 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.[33] 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.[34]

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.[4]

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.[35] The Zimbabwean government bought six military aircraft from China in 2005 and another six aircraft from three Chinese firms on 23 August 2006.[36] Two days later the Zimbabwe National Army said it bought 127 trucks for $1.2 million.[37]

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.[34] 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.[33] 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.[38]

• People's Republic of China has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Beijing

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 July 1992.[39]

See India-Zimbabwe relations

• India has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in New Delhi

• Indonesia has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Jakarta

• Iran has an embassy in Harare

• Israel-Zimbabwe relations are extraordinarily poor with the state-run publication, The Herald, questioning the legitimacy of Israel's existence. The Zimbabwean government recognizes an independent Palestinian state and advocates a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

• Japan has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Tokyo

• Kuwait has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Kuwait City

• Malaysia has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur

• Nepal has an accredited mission in Cairo

• North Korea has an accredited mission in Dar es Salaam
• Zimbabwe has an accredited mission in Seoul.

• Oman has an accredited mission in London

• Pakistan has an embassy in Harare

• Singapore has an accredited mission in Petoria, South Africa

• The Republic of Korea has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Seoul[40]

• Sri Lanka has accredited missions in Nairobi and Pretoria

• Thailand has an accredited mission in Pretoria

• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Ankara.[42]
• Turkey has an embassy in Harare.[42]
• Trade volume between the two countries was 17.7 million USD in 2019 (Zimbabwe's exports/imports: 11.8/5.9 million USD).[42]

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 March 1999.[43]

• Vietnam has an accredited mission in Luanda

• Yemen has an embassy in Harare.

• Austria had an embassy in Harare until 2011, when the Embassy was shut down.[44]
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Vienna

• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Brussels

• Bulgaria has an accredited mission in Pretoria

• Cyprus has an accredited mission in Nairobi

• Zimbabwe is represented in Denmark from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.[45]
• Denmark is represented in Zimbabwe, through its embassy in Lusaka, Zambia.[46]

• Finland has an accredited mission in Maputo

• France has a mission in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Paris

French President Jacques Chirac angered the governments of the United Kingdom and the United States when in February 2003 he invited President Mugabe to a Franco-African conference on Africa held in France. Mugabe said he felt "at home" in Paris and "President Chirac insisted that we attend. He held firm to his principles. We need leaders of his stature." Chirac later emphasized that he had not kissed Mugabe on his cheeks when the conference began.[47] The UK had previously tried to get the European Union to deny Mugabe the right to come to Europe, citing human rights abuses in Zimbabwe.[48]

• Germany has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Berlin

• Greece has an embassy in Harare

• Holy See has an embassy in Harare

• Hungary has an accredited mission in Pretoria

• Ireland has an accredited mission in Pretoria

• Italy has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Rome

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 January 2015.[49]

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 June 1992.[50]

• Netherlands has an embassy in Harare

• Norway has an embassy in Harare

• Poland has an embassy in Harare

• Portugal has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has a consulate general in Lisbon

• Romania has an embassy in Harare

• Russia has a mission in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Moscow: Embassy of Zimbabwe, Moscow

Russia-Zimbabwe relations date back to January 1979, during the Rhodesian Bush War. The Soviet Union supported Joshua Nkomo's Zimbabwe African People's Union, and supplied them with arms; Robert Mugabe's attempts to gain Soviet support for his Zimbabwe African National Union were rebuffed, leading him to enter into relations with Soviet rival Beijing. After the end of the white regime in Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe had strengthened his relations with both Beijing and Moscow as a result of intense western pressure on him. Russia maintains strong economic and political ties with Zimbabwe and both countries had vetoed the UN resolution imposing UN sanctions on Zimbabwe which was proposed by both the US and the UK on 12 July 2008.

• Serbia has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Belgrade

• Slovakia has an accredited mission in Pretoria

• Spain has an embassy in Harare

• Sweden has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Stockholm

• Switzerland has an embassy in Harare
• Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1980.[51]

• Ukraine has an accredited mission in Pretoria

Embassy of Zimbabwe in London

• United Kingdom has an embassy in Harare.
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in London.

Historically, relations between Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom were close. However, in the last eight years, relations between Zimbabwe and the UK have been typically cold; with President Robert Mugabe frequently accusing the former colonial power of sabotage; ruining the country and attempting to invade the country.[52] In turn, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown refused to attend an African/European summit while Mugabe was invited, citing Zimbabwe's poor human rights record.[53] The UK also did not attend an address by Mugabe at the 2008 UN Food Summit, stating that his presence there was "obscene".[54] However, Mugabe was later forcibly removed from power in November 2017 and soon afterwards, Britain's Minister to Africa Rory Stewart became the first British Minister to visit Zimbabwe in two decades.[55] In January 2019, Conservative Secretary and defence spokesman Geoffrey Van Orden MEP said that the EU should review its sanctions against Zimbabwe following the brutal crackdown on opposition forces.[56]

• Australia has an embassy in Harare
• Zimbabwe has an embassy in Canberra

In 2002, the Howard government in Australia imposed targeted sanctions against members of the Zimbabwean government in protest against the deteriorating political situation in Zimbabwe. The sanctions were extended and strengthened in 2007.[57] These sanctions have included restrictions on travel to and through Australia for certain members of the Zimbabwean government, suspension of all non-humanitarian aid, and prohibitions on defence links.[58] The Rudd government in 2008 considered further sanctions against Zimbabwe, with foreign minister Stephen Smith declaring that "I've made it clear that we are open to consider more sanctions ... We are currently giving active consideration to that issue."[59]

• New Zealand has a High Commission in Pretoria, which is cross-accredited to Zimbabwe.