THE FOREIGN Affairs ministry has forwarded a financial request to Parliament to recall 10 to 15 ambassadors by next month.
VENERANDA LANGA SENIOR PARLIAMENTARY REPORTER
Foreign Affairs secretary Joey Bimha yesterday told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs chaired by Chipinge South MP Enock Porusingazi that the move was a normal procedure which was done after every four years when ambassadors completed their terms.
Although he did not indicate which embassies would be affected, Bimha said the recalling of ambassadors had nothing to do with the new government, but that some ambassadors had reached retirement age or were to be appointed for other key posts.
“We are moving about 10 to 15 ambassadors and it is necessary to move them because if they stay for too long they become native and we have to move them now so that they come back here and touch base,” Bimha said.
“Their recall has nothing to do with the new government, but this is a normal exercise that the ministry carries often.” Zimbabwe has 46 diplomatic missions which constitute 40 embassies and six consulates, as well as nine directorates in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Europe and the Americas.
Bimha said his ministry continued to suffer hostility from some Western countries such as Britain, United States, Canada and Australia.
“These countries have refused to recognise the Zanu PF victory in the July 31 harmonised elections, alleging that the elections were flawed and this has an effect of tarnishing the image of the country,” he said.
