Zimbabwe’s Ambitious Bid for UN Security Council Seat Gains Momentum
Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Frederick Shava, has announced that the country’s bid to secure a seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in 2027 has gained significant support from both the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
According to Shava, all 16 SADC countries have pledged to vote in favor of Zimbabwe when it contests one of the two seats reserved for African countries in 2026. The candidature was initially seconded at the 37th Ordinary Session of the AU Heads of State and Government.
Africa currently has two non-permanent seats on the UNSC, with growing calls for them to become permanent with all privileges plus five other non-permanent ones. If Zimbabwe wins, it would mark the third time the country has sat on the UNSC, following its previous stints in 1983-1984 and 1991-1992.
Shava expressed confidence in Zimbabwe’s chances, stating that the country has done all the necessary preparatory work in SADC and has already received support from the AU. “We are campaigning for Zimbabwe to be a member of the UN Security Council come 2027-2028 and we have done all the preparatory initial campaigns in SADC,” he said.
The election of a regional member of the UNSC is typically a foregone decision, as candidates are agreed upon at bloc level. Somalia is expected to take over Africa’s second seat on January 1, 2025.
The news comes as Zimbabwe seeks to strengthen its international presence and influence. If successful, the country’s bid would mark a significant milestone in its diplomatic efforts.
