Mnangagwa, Hichilema come face to face

President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his Zambian counterpart Hakainde Hichilema had an uneasy public interaction in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, yesterday, as their strained diplomatic relations played out during a press conference. The event, also attended by Burundi's President Evariste Ndayishimiye, focused on rallying support for Dr. Samuel Munzele Maimbo, Zambia's candidate for the upcoming African Development Bank (AfDB) presidency.

The briefing was convened to endorse Maimbo ahead of the AfDB elections scheduled for 29 May. The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have thrown their weight behind him, seeking regional unity in backing his candidacy. However, South Africa broke ranks with SADC by supporting Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala, a move seen as weakening the regional consensus.

Mnangagwa attended the event in his capacity as SADC chairman, while Hichilema participated as Zambia's leader, given Maimbo's nationality. Ndayishimiye, the Comesa chairperson, has pledged full support for Maimbo, who previously served as the World Bank's Vice President for Budget, Performance Review, and Strategic Planning. Maimbo brings nearly three decades of experience in financial markets, resource mobilization, and development.

Despite ongoing diplomatic tensions between Zimbabwe and Zambia—heightened by Hichilema's criticism of Zimbabwe's disputed 2023 elections—Mnangagwa expressed confidence in Maimbo's leadership abilities. Maimbo, in turn, thanked both SADC and Comesa for their endorsement, outlining his vision for the AfDB, which includes prioritizing investment in Africa's youth, agriculture, and infrastructure. He also emphasized the importance of strengthening intra-African trade.

The press conference was part of a broader African Union (AU) summit, which began yesterday and concludes today. The meeting brings together leaders from all 55 AU member states, alongside representatives from international organizations, NGOs, and the private sector. This year's theme, "Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations," highlights efforts to address historical injustices stemming from slavery.

The AfDB, a key financial institution for Africa's development, is majority-owned by African shareholders (60%), while non-African entities hold the remaining 40%. Maimbo aims to succeed the outgoing AfDB President, Akinwumi Adesina, who has led the bank since 2015. Adesina, re-elected in 2020, is set to complete his final term in September 2025.

Hichilema lauded Maimbo as a strong candidate, emphasizing that his leadership would place the AfDB and the continent in a promising position. While regional leaders have largely united in backing Maimbo, the tense exchanges between Mnangagwa and Hichilema at the event underscored lingering diplomatic friction between their two nations.