Emmerson Mnangagwa off to DR Congo as his diplomatic blitz continues

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa was due to leave for the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Tuesday to meet his counterpart Joseph Kabila, as he continued with his diplomatic mission in the region to apprise leaders of political developments back home, state media reported Tuesday.

The Herald quoted Presidential spokesperson George Charamba as saying that besides the courtesy call, the two leaders would discuss bilateral issues.

“It is a continuation of courtesy calls to the SADC (Southern African Development Community) region. We have been to South Africa, Angola, Namibia, Mozambique and Zambia. Now we are off to DR Congo as part of courtesy calls,” Charamba said.

Since taking over from former President Robert Mugabe following military intervention last November, Mnangagwa has been visiting heads of state in the region to explain the circumstances which led to the military intervention and Mugabe’s subsequent resignation.

He has also been telling them about preparations for presidential and general elections to be held mid-2018.

Besides the regional trips, Mnangagwa has been to Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum and Ethiopia for the African Union (AU) Summit.