Zimbabwe has secured the support of Gabon and Liberia in its bid to host the 2027 African Union (AU) Mid-Year Coordination Meeting, as diplomatic efforts continue to build consensus around the Southern African country’s candidature.
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Read E-PaperForeign Affairs Minister Professor Amon Murwira said Gabon’s Vice President visited President Emmerson Mnangagwa as a Special Envoy to convey a message relating to the regional consensus-building process ahead of the meeting.
“Discussions on the hosting arrangements began on the sidelines of the AU Summit in February, when Zimbabwe and Gabon engaged on the issue before agreeing to elevate it to Heads of State.
On the sidelines of the African Union Summit in February, we had the privilege of meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Gabon to discuss the issue. We then agreed that it should be escalated to the Heads of State,” said Prof. Murwira.
He explained that the AU Mid-Year Coordination Meeting follows a rotational hosting arrangement designed to give each of Africa’s five regions an opportunity to host the gathering.
According to Prof Murwira, Southern Africa hosted the meeting in Lusaka in 2022, while other regions took their turns in subsequent years, with Egypt hosting in 2026.
“Using the principle of rotation, 2027 is Southern Africa’s turn. The Southern African countries have coalesced around Zimbabwe,” he said.
Prof Murwira said the regional consensus had positioned Zimbabwe as Southern Africa’s candidate, with Gabon and Liberia supporting the country’s bid.
He said Gabon’s visit was part of efforts to ensure that countries involved in the hosting discussions reached a common position through dialogue and consultation.
The minister described the meeting between President Mnangagwa and the Gabonese Special Envoy as cordial, adding that the President had received Gabon’s message and was considering it.
“It was a very cordial meeting. Our president always accepts different views, and today was no exception. He received the message from Gabon, and the message is under consideration,” said Prof Murwira.
Hosting the 2027 meeting would give Zimbabwe an opportunity to facilitate discussions among African leaders on continental priorities and the implementation of AU decisions.
The support from Gabon and Liberia strengthens the consensus-building process around Zimbabwe’s candidature as Southern Africa prepares for its turn under the AU’s rotational hosting arrangement. The final hosting decision will depend on the AU’s established processes.
