Davison Kaiyo/Talkmore Gandiwa
Harare – Zimbabwe is among the 35 countries that abstained to vote in the United Nations (UN) resolution condemning Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
The UN General Assembly, which was this week sitting under an emergency session, a rare sitting occasioned only by a serious threat to international security, voted to condemn what a motion said was “aggression against Ukraine” following Russia’s February 24 invasion of its neighbour.
The text of the resolution deplores Russia’s “aggression against Ukraine.” The last time the Security Council convened an emergency session of the General Assembly was in 1982, according to the U.N. website
The resolution is legally non-binding but the international community believes it sends a message to diplomatically isolate the offending party – Russia.
Zimbabwe is not convinced that the resolution adopted yesterday points in the direction of dialogue. On the contrary it poured more fuel to the fire thus further complicating the situation.
Zimbabwe believes that it is the duty of the international community not to make that situation more complex than it already is.
In a statement, the acting minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Amon Murwira said the Zimbabwe government believes dialogue is the most viable option.
“Zimbabwe is not convinced that the resolution adopted yesterday points in the direction of dialogue. On the contrary it poured more fuel to the fire thus further complicating the situation,” said Minister Murwira.
“Zimbabwe therefore, commends the Russian Federation and Ukraine for initiating dialogue and we urge them to intensify their efforts towards finding a durable solution to the conflict taking into account the security interests of both parties.”
Zimbabwe together with countries such as South Africa, China, Tanzania, Algeria abstained from voting while five countries voted against the resolution.
According to Minister Murwira, the situation between Russia and Ukraine is a complex one and urged the international community not to worsen the situation through imposition of sanctions but instead support dialogue efforts.
“The situation in Ukraine is a very complex one and is deeply rooted in the history and geopolitics of that region,
“Zimbabwe believes that it is the duty of the international community not to make that situation more complex than it already is. The International Community must tirelessly work towards the facilitation of dialogue aimed at finding a durable solution to the situation,” he added.
