President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe reaffirmed his country’s independent foreign policy during the Dubai World Summit on Tuesday, stating that Zimbabwe does not seek to align with either Western or Eastern powers, but will prioritize its own national interests.

The panel, moderated by American commentator Tucker Carlson, included the presidents of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, and Botswana.

The discussion focused on global power shifts, the growing influence of China versus the West, economic sanctions, sovereignty, and the state of democracy worldwide.

“Zimbabwe is not here to please the West or the East. We are here to please ourselves as a sovereign nation,” Mnangagwa told the audience.

“Our engagement with the world is based on mutual respect and shared interests, not dependency or control.”

President Mnangagwa said, “Zimbabwe will continue to seek partnerships and investment opportunities on terms that respect the country’s independence and development priorities.”

He reiterated that foreign aid and economic cooperation must not come with political conditions that compromise sovereignty.

The Zimbabwean leader’s remarks come amid intensifying global competition for influence in Africa, with both Western nations and Eastern powers expanding economic and political ties across the continent.

Other leaders on the panel highlighted similar themes of sovereignty and self-determination.

Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio stressed the importance of domestic decision-making in the face of global pressures, while Botswana’s president called for balanced engagement with both Western and Eastern powers to ensure sustainable development.

The Dubai World Summit, which gathered political and business leaders from across the globe, served as a platform for African heads of state to articulate their perspectives on navigating a multipolar world while safeguarding national interests.

• President Mnangagwa tells global summit Zimbabwe’s land “will never be defined by race”

• At Dubai summit, Mnangagwa says Africa is “no longer a spectator” in global affairs

• Zimbabwe’s president defends sovereignty, says “the narrative of our nation is ours to write”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has told an international audience that Zimbabwe’s land should not be defined by race, saying it belongs to the country’s people and is rooted in their history and sovereignty.

Speaking at the World Government Summit in Dubai on Tuesday, Mnangagwa said, “Zimbabwe’s land is not, and will never be, defined by the race of those who live upon it.”

He added that the land is instead defined by “the unbreakable spirit, the sweat, and the sovereignty of the Zimbabwean people.”

The president linked Zimbabwe’s current policies to its liberation struggle, saying his personal journey reflected the country’s broader history.

“My own journey, from a boy who faced the chains and fire of the liberation struggle to the leader I am today, mirrors the resilience of our nation,” he said.

President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe’s resistance to external influence has spanned decades, arguing that the country has fought not only for territory but for independence and dignity.

“For six decades, this spirit of resistance against colonial oppression and neo-colonial mindsets has been our compass,” he said.

Turning to Africa’s role in global affairs, the president said the continent was no longer on the margins of international decision-making.

“Africa is no longer a spectator in the halls of global power; we are authors of our own destiny,”Mnangagwa told delegates.

He also rejected criticism of Zimbabwe’s policies, using strong language to defend national sovereignty.

“A lion does not whisper when its homeland is discussed. It roars,” he said.

Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe was focused on building a future grounded in its own history while engaging globally as an equal partner.

“We are building a Zimbabwe that is rooted in its own heritage, confident in its capabilities, and an equal partner on the world stage,” he said, adding that “the narrative of our nation is ours to write.”

The World Government Summit brings together leaders from across the world to discuss governance, development and international cooperation, with several African heads of state participating in this year’s meeting.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday held a closed-door meeting with prominent business figures, during which participants reportedly agreed in principle to provide monthly financial support to the ruling Zanu PF party, sources familiar with the discussions have said.

The high-level engagement brought together about 19 businessmen, including Sakunda Holdings owner Kudakwashe Regimond Tagwirei and Geo Pomona Waste Management Pvt Ltd CEO and executive chairman Dr Dilesh Nguwaya. Senior Zanu PF officials, among them Secretary-General Jacob Mudenda and Treasurer-General Patrick Chinamasa, were also in attendance. Some of the business leaders reportedly travelled from outside Harare, including from Bulawayo and other provinces, underscoring the national character of the meeting.

According to party insiders, discussions centred on establishing a more structured and predictable funding relationship between Zanu PF and sections of the business community. Rather than relying on intermittent or ad hoc donations, the meeting explored the idea of sustained, monthly financial contributions to support party activities.

Sources described the talks as marking a shift in how the ruling party engages with business, signalling an intention to formalise funding channels as Zanu PF seeks to strengthen and professionalise its operations. While no official statement was released after the meeting, those briefed on the deliberations said there was broad agreement in principle on the need for a stable financial framework.

The engagement is seen as part of Zanu PF’s broader mobilisation strategy, as the party consolidates its organisational structures and prepares for future political programmes. Observers say the move reflects growing interaction between political leadership and influential business actors, with implications for both party financing and the wider political economy.