President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his Belarusian counterpart Aleksandr Lukashenko discussed defence and security issues besides the business contracts that were reportedly signed by officials from the two countries.
Lukashenko visited the United Arab Emirates, had a state visit to Zimbabwe, and then returned to the UAE.
Press secretary of the Belarusian head of state Natalya Eismont shared previously unknown details of the meetings and negotiations between Lukashenko and Mnangagwa. Said Eismont, as quoted by <a href="https://eng.belta.by/president/view/press-secretary-shares-new-details-of-lukashenkos-foreign-tour-156483-2023/">Belta</a>:
<blockquote>
With regard to Zimbabwe, I mean the things that have not been made public: these were defense and security issues. The journalists, who worked with us, were present at the reception, too. This was a very special event.
Different countries have their own traditions. In general, a reception is an informal communication, a cultural part of the visit. It is a special, more relaxed moment. Here it was quite different.
There is a tradition in Zimbabwe for heads of state to give speeches at the reception and to dwell on the results.
Our president made a very serious speech, which was heard, including by journalists. He touched upon these issues there. I mean defense and security issues. These issues were discussed in detail.
</blockquote>

Pindula News

"Mnangagwa, Lukashenko Discussed Defence And Security Issues"

One of the main beneficiaries of a slew of business agreements recently struck between Zimbabwe and Belarus is Aftrade, a business headed by infamous Belarusian tycoon <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Alexander_Zingman">Alexander Zingman.</a>
Alexander Zingman was made Honourary Consul of Zimbabwe to the Republic of Belarus in January 2019.
Aftrade has obtained contracts to develop grain storage facilities, supply tractors and harvesters to the government, and secure equipment deals in the mining and logging industries thanks to the visit of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko to Zimbabwe.
Four years ago, Zimbabwe announced that it needed 40 000 tractors, at a time when only 9000 were available to work Zimbabwe’s 4 130 000ha of arable land. 
The southern African nation looked to Belarus and other suppliers in a bid to plug the gap. 
Zimbabwe also signed a US$51 million deal with US company John Deere for the supply of 1 300 tractors, 80 combine harvesters and other equipment. Zimbabwe is also negotiating with India’s Mahindra, which abandoned a plan in 2018 to set up an assembly plant in Zimbabwe due to forex shortages.
Belarus has already supplied equipment to Zimbabwe, but, says Lukashenko, that was only the first phase. <a href="https://newzwire.live/from-tractors-to-mining-alexander-zingman-wins-big-in-lukashenkos-us66m-zimbabwe-deals/">newZWire</a> cites him as saying:
<blockquote>
But it is just the beginning. We’ve launched the third phase of the programme to the tune of over US$66 million. It provides for shipping over 3,700 tractors, 60 harvesters to the local agrarians within the next 1.5 years.
</blockquote>
Aftrade and MTZ, one of Europe’s biggest tractor exporters, will supply at least 3 575 tractors to Zimbabwe between 2023 and 2024. Aftrade has distribution rights for MTZ equipment in the country. MTZ director general Vitaly Vovk said:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwean market opened for Belarus machinery several years ago thanks to our reliable partner, Aftrade DMCC. We are glad that today we are talking about strategic partnership that envisages work on a systematic perspective basis. 
We know that last year, for the first time in the past 50 years, the country fully provided itself with grain. It is gratifying that the country succeeded also thanks to Belarus machinery
</blockquote>
The new tractors add to the 1 800 tractors and harvesters that MTZ has already supplied to Zimbabwe.
Aftrade was also awarded a contract to supply equipment manufactured in Belarus for the construction and modernisation of grain storage complexes. While no details are known, Agriculture Secretary John Basera recently said Zimbabwe needed to spend over US$275 million over the next three years to build new grain silos, adding 750 000 tonnes of storage space to the current 500 000 tonnes.
MTZ was a major supplier of equipment to Ukraine before the Russia war started, and also exported to the US and Canada.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Alexander Zingman's Aftrade A Main Beneficiary Of Agreements Between Zimbabwe & Belarus

Stephen Chan OBE, an author and Professor of World Politics at SOAS, University of London, has said it is not a good thing for Zimbabwe to befriend Belarus considering that “the repression in Belarus makes Zimbabwe look amateurish.”
His remarks followed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s State visit to Zimbabwe yesterday, 30 January 2023. Chan said:  
<blockquote>
Pomp and fanfare. But this is a shame. Lukashenko is NOT someone to be seen closely friendly towards: a dictator through &amp; through. Believe it or not, the repression in Belarus makes Zimbabwe look amateurish.
</blockquote>
The visit is premised on cementing economic and political ties between the two countries that are both close allies of Russia, according to Zimbabwe’s foreign affairs ministry.
Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa and <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/zanu-pf-busses-supporters-to-welcome-the-president-of-belarus/">hundreds of singing and cheering ruling party supporters welcomed</a> Lukashenko at the main Robert Gabriel Mugabe International airport in the capital, Harare. 
Belarus has provided Zimbabwe with farm equipment such as tractors, combine harvesters and trucks under a deal worth tens of millions of dollars following Mnangagwa’s visit to the Belarusian capital Minsk in 2019.
Mnangagwa and Lukashenko have repeatedly been accused by internal rivals and the West of using arrests and other forms of harassment to stifle dissent and remain in power in their countries — allegations they deny.
Lukashenko has been in power since 1994. His term was renewed in 2020, in elections widely denounced as a sham. 
There has been widespread repression of political opposition and independent media following the disputed 2020 presidential election. 
The government has used force to crack down on protests, arrested opposition figures and journalists, and limited internet access. 
The international community has condemned the actions of the Belarusian government and imposed economic sanctions in response.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

"Repression In Belarus Makes Zimbabwe Look Amateurish" - Chan

Hundreds of ZANU PF supporters from Harare province were made to sit in the sun for hours, at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport to welcome the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko.
Lukashenko was expected to jet into Harare on Monday for a State visit to Zimbabwe.
He will be in Zimbabwe from 30 January to 1 February after making his first stop in the United Arab Emirates.
Lukashenko will meet President Emmerson Mnangagwa to strengthen existing relations between the two countries.
On Monday morning, ZANU PF despatched buses to districts in Harare to pick up supporters and ferry them to the airport ahead of Lukashenko’s visit.
Below are pictures posted by <a href="https://twitter.com/HeraldZimbabwe/status/1620052628607729665">The Herald</a> showing ZANU PF supporters sitting in the blazing at the RGMI Airport waiting for the Belarusian strongman:

 <img class="pictures-mainly-articles" src="/media/news/articles/0f1c55b2365e775135993afd4f4ec279f39cd52f.webp"/><img/> <img class="pictures-mainly-articles" src="/media/news/articles/bfe6b84e662f7debddf4b480f356e7c3c3213b1c.webp"/><img/> <img class="pictures-mainly-articles" src="/media/news/articles/20e1b7820c6340a07253f823510b83046a7a721b.webp"/><img/> <img class="pictures-mainly-articles" src="/media/news/articles/23a767dabb0f699a9f734ae8effe3f77543d2c4b.webp"/><img/>

PICTURES: ZANU PF Supporters Bussed To Welcome President Lukashenko

ZANU PF has bussed its supporters to the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport to welcome the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, who is on a State visit to Zimbabwe.
The bussing of supporters to the airport to welcome foreign dignitaries was a distinct feature of the late former president Robert Mugabe’s administration, and the so-called New Dispensation has seemingly perpetuated the practice.
In a notice to all DDC4 District Chairpersons and PCs in Harare Province, the secretary for administration, one S.M. Mabeka, said buses will be availed for the event. Wrote Mabeka:
<blockquote>
All DCC4 District Chairpersons &amp; PCs are requested to mobilise Cdes to go to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, Republic of Belarus President Cde Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko will be visiting his counterpart Republic of Zimbabwe President Cde ED Mnangagwa on Monday the 30th of January 2023.
District Secretaries for Transport &amp; Welfare come collect buses from DCC4 Secretary for Transport &amp; Welfare Cde Gwengwe at ZANU PF Harare Provincial Offices at 0800hrs.
All Party members to be at their usual pick-up points by 0830hrs.
</blockquote>
Lukashenko will be in Zimbabwe from 30 January to 1 February after making his first stop in the United Arab Emirates.
He will meet Mnangagwa to strengthen existing relations between the two countries.
<a href="https://www.news24.com/news24/africa/news/belarus-president-a-top-putin-ally-due-in-zimbabwe-next-week-20230127">News24</a> reported a source as saying Lukashenko’s visit was initially planned for last year, but there were security fears.

ZANU PF Busses Supporters To Welcome The President Of Belarus

Belarus President, Alexander Lukashenko, will visit Zimbabwe on Monday to meet his counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa to strengthen existing relations between the two countries, a Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson has said.
<a href="https://www.news24.com/news24/africa/news/belarus-president-a-top-putin-ally-due-in-zimbabwe-next-week-20230127">News24</a> reported a source as saying Lukashenko’s visit was initially planned for last year, but there were security fears.
He will be in Zimbabwe from 30 January to 1 February after making his first stop in the United Arab Emirates.
In a statement on Friday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade spokesperson Livit Mugejo said:
<blockquote>
The President of the Republic of Belarus, His Excellency Alexander Lukashenko, will pay a State Visit to Zimbabwe from 30 January-1 February 2023.
During the State Visit, H.E President Lukashenko is scheduled to meet H.E President Dr. E.D Mnangagwa.
The visit is historic, as it is the first such undertaking to a Sub-Saharan African nation, by President Lukashenko.
The State visit is meant to strengthen the existing excellent relations between Zimbabwe and the Republic of Belarus.
The two countries have strong cooperation in political, economic, mining, agriculture and Disaster Risk Management. 
Several agreements are under consideration and are expected to be signed during the visit. 
President Lukashenko and President Mnangagwa are also expected to launch the Second Phase of the Zimbabwe- Belarus Agricultural Mechanisation Programme.
</blockquote>

Belarus President Expected In Zimbabwe Next Week

The Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) has refuted claims that Belarusian companies won the contract to buy Zimbabwean diamonds under an unclear process.
There are indications that the government opted for Belarusians who happened to be President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s close allies, according to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/theindependent/local-news/article/200000562/mystery-buyer-of-diamonds-outed">Zimbabwe Independent</a>.
This comes at a time when the country’s state-run mining entity Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) is battling to come up with a robust marketing framework. MMCZ general manager Tongai Muzenda said:
<blockquote>
There are no companies participating at the auctions from Belarus but the problem could be on the ownership side.
Most of the companies participating in our auctions are from Dubai, Antwerp (Belgium) and India.
We have got a few African buyers especially from South Africa and a few from Botswana. We also have some other European countries that participate at the auction.
There are three players currently mining and marketing diamonds in Zimbabwe, that is, ZCDC, Anjin and Murowa Diamonds who are private players in the industry.
For Murowa all their diamonds go to Antwerp but for the other companies we go for auctions.
</blockquote>
Muzenda said most of the auctions are held at the MMCZ premises in Msasa and at the Robert Mugabe International Airport depending on the agreements with potential buyers.
<h2>Allegations:</h2>
There are allegations that the Zimbabwean government has given preference to Belarusian diamond buyers to snap up the gems under unclear circumstances.
Zimbabwe’s relations with Belarus and particularly its leader took off in 2015, when Mnangagwa then Mugabe’s deputy, met with the Eastern European country’s leader Alexander Lukashenko.
Sources with details on the unclear marketing process of Zimbabwe’s diamonds told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/theindependent/local-news/article/200000562/mystery-buyer-of-diamonds-outed">The Independent</a> last week that Harare was now selling its gem parcels to Minsk, in part to circumvent Western sanctions, and to also finance “other high priority security needs”.
This year in July, Harare announced that it was procuring fire engines from Minsk through a controversial multi-million-dollar deal transaction that was strongly rejected by Members of Parliament from both the ruling and opposition parties.
<h2><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

MMCZ Speaks On Reports Zimbabwe Handpicked Belarusian Companies To Be Diamond Buyers

Belarus shall be exhibiting at this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair scheduled for the 23rd to the 27th of April under the theme “Propagating Industrial Growth Through Trade And Investment”.
This shall be the European country’s first time to appear at the occasion.
Ms Slava Shevchuk, a senior specialist in the foreign exhibition department of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, revealed that her country shall be showcasing products from Belarus’ four flagship companies namely BELAZ, Minsk Tractor Works, SOHRA Overseas FZE and Chefi. She also said:
<blockquote>Belarus is ready to discuss opportunities for economic co-operation with Zimbabwe. “The two countries enjoy cordial relations politically and economically.
Farmers all over the world are attracted by tractors from Belarus primarily because of their service reliability, ease of operation, availability of maintenance and reasonable prices.</blockquote>
The exhibition at ZITF by Belarus companies follows President Mnangagwa’s visit to Belarus earlier this year where he is believed to have held a business meeting with that country’s President Alexander Lukashenko. 
<h3>Related:</h3>
<ul>
<li><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2018/01/23/video-zimbabwe-open-business-campaign/" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://news.pindula.co.zw/2018/01/23/video-zimbabwe-open-business-campaign/&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiWh9mpu-fhAhWRxoUKHR_DCUIQFggTMAU&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=partner-pub-2833808250787996:9370281611&amp;usg=AOvVaw0LU5Ecepa6D-XX05zA8Uxj" dir="ltr" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://news.pindula.co.zw/2018/01/23/video-zimbabwe-open-business-campaign/&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiWh9mpu-fhAhWRxoUKHR_DCUIQFggTMAU&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=partner-pub-2833808250787996:9370281611&amp;usg=AOvVaw0LU5Ecepa6D-XX05zA8Uxj" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Video: Zimbabwe Is Open For Business Campaign </a></li>
</ul>
More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/belarus-ready-for-more-economic-cooperation/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Chronicle</a>

European Country Showcasing At This Year's ZITF Edition

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has expressed condolences to Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian leader.
The head of state remarked that it is with deep pain and sorrow that Belarus has learned the news about numerous victims and massive destruction after Cyclone Idai.
On behalf of the Belarusian people and himself, Alexander Lukashenko has offered condolences to the families and friends of the victims. He also conveyed support and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
Related:
<ul>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/03/19/saudi-arabia-extends-condolences-to-cyclone-idai-victims/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Saudi Arabia Extends Condolences To Cyclone Idai Victims</a></li>
</ul>
More: <a href="https://eng.belta.by/president/view/lukashenko-offers-condolences-to-presidents-of-zimbabwe-mozambique-119532-2019/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Belta News</a>

Belarus President Lukashenko Offers Condolences To ED, Nyusi

President Emmerson Mnangagwa received no kind of loan or financial rescue package from Russia when he met the country’s president, Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. Mnangagwa reportedly left with a pile of agreements on military cooperation and stemming money laundering.
After the meeting between the two Presidents, the Kremlin issued a statement which read as follows:
<blockquote>During the talks, the participants discussed matters pertaining to promoting bilateral relations and current international and regional issues.
Following the consultations, exchange of documents signed during the official visit of the President of Zimbabwe to Russia took place in the presence of the leaders of the two countries.
The signed documents included an agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Zimbabwe on extradition and an intergovernmental agreement on mutual protection of intellectual activity results and intellectual property protection in the course of bilateral military-technical cooperation.
The signed documents also concern cooperation in the sphere of countering the legalisation (money laundering) of criminally obtained proceeds and the financing of terrorism, the project for developing the Darwendale platinum group metal deposit and the supply of fertilisers to African markets.</blockquote>
Mnangagwa’s trip to Russia started on Monday before the ongoing protests began. He is now in Belarus where he met the country’s President Alexander Lukashenko.
<h2>Related:</h2>
<ul>
<li>
<h3><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/zimbabwe-ranks-136th-out-167-countries-on-democracy-index-2018/">Zimbabwe Ranked 136th Out Of 167 Countries On Democracy Index-2018</a></h3>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>More: <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/2019/01/mnangagwa-leaves-russia-empty-handed-as-army-crackdown-continues-at-home/">ZimLive.com</a></h3>

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