Staff Reporter
Political and economic analysts have applauded the Government’s plan to formally apply to join the progressive BRICS group.
The BRICS is a major economic alliance of nations of the Global South, founded by Russia, China, India, and Brazil, with South Africa joining later. Recently, the BRICS underwent a major expansion with the addition of several new members. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates joined the bloc as full members on January 1, 2024.
Political commentator, Elton Ziki said the plan to join the BRICS by the Second Republic shows that the country will be aligned to a group that offers unconditional aid unlike the West.
“Zimbabwe’s plan to join the BRICS shows that the Second Republic is alive to changing geo-politics, where the superpower status of the United States of America (USA) is waning. Aligning with BRICS, which offers unconditional aid as opposed to the West’s lethal aid, which debt traps African countries,” Ziki said.
Economic analyst, Taurai Choto welcomed the move stating that, joining the BRICS will expedite Zimbabwe’s realisation of Vision 2030.
“By joining the BRICS it would expedite the country’s realisation of Vision 2030 thus attaining an upper-middle income economy. It should be noted that the USA and the West alienated Zimbabwe by slapping it with sanctions for over a decade now,” said Choto.
The BRICS countries’ model is based on a unique relationship guided by the non-alignment principle, which has not only enabled breaking through ideological constraints, but has also facilitated economic growth based on mutual respect, common progress, and prosperity.
In addition, a ZANU PF Official noted that, Zimbabwe’s plan to apply to join the BRICS is made easy as the country shares cordial relations with the members.
“The plan by Zimbabwe to apply to join the BRICS is a straight jacket as Zimbabwe shares good cordial relations with the BRICS countries, as they also supported the country’s liberation struggle for independence.
Joining the BRICS will be a benediction for Zimbabwe as the group has good economic cooperation, common objectives and shared interests.