Britain's exit from the European Union has the potential to divert EU's attitude towards Zimbabwe. The developments raise prospects for Zimbabwe to rejoin the Commonwealth and a narrow possibility of sanctions being lifted.
"...the absence of Britain from the EU does not insinuate the alteration of the national interests of remaining members of the organisation..."
The involvement of EU in the political and economic feud between Britain and Zimbabwe was a strategic attempt by the British government to transform a bilateral issue into a multilateral one.
Britain has considerable influence on how the EU relates with Zimbabwe even after it leaves the organisation.
While it is more than likely that Brexit will yield opportunities, Zimbabwe is not at the forefront to exploit them.
The absence of Britain from the EU will not necessarily change how the bloc relates with Zimbabwe. Such a simplified conception implies that, the bloc does not have a clearly defined multilateral foreign policy, to the extent that, the withdrawal of a member state would alter the organisation's behaviour as an international actor.
What Brexit means for Zimbabwe
1. EU's support to developing countries including Zimbabwe will decrease because Britain is the biggest contributor to the European Development Fund. The UK contributes 14.8 percent and this gap may not be easy to fill.
2. Improved Britain-Africa relations, a carbon-copy of China's Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Zimbabwe might indirectly trade with Britain especially when the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) takes off on January 1, 2021.
3. Zimbabwe represents a potential market for UK's manufactured products like pharmaceuticals and industrial equipment.
There is still a sense of uncertainty on what Boris Johnson's policy on Africa and Zimbabwe will be going forward but whatever fortunes that Brexit may bring, the efforts should be met with serious economic and political reform in Zimbabwe.
Trade dealings between London and Harare will be primarily geared towards the former's favor. In any case, the UK has always been firm on what it expects from Zimbabwe in order to improve relations.
EU-Zimbabwe engagements may change for the better, especially with the economic interests that some EU members like Portugal, France and Belgium have shown for Zimbabwe.
President Mnangagwa
Finally, Zimbabwe having survived sanctions would probably celebrate BREXIT. Some EU member states will reconcile with Zimbabwe and if Zimbabwe is to enjoy the fortunes of Brexit, then Mnangagwaa's administration should take deliberate actions and deal with corruptiopn, human rights abuses, democracy and the rule of law.
