Coltart cautions against overstating Zimbabwe’s UN Security Council election

Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart has urged Zimbabweans not to exaggerate the significance of the country’s recent election to the United Nations Security Council, warning that the development should not be interpreted as a global endorsement of the current political leadership.


In a strongly worded statement, Coltart said that while Zimbabwe’s election as a non‑permanent member of the Security Council was an honour worth acknowledging, it must be understood within its proper international context.

“Whilst I am a Zimbabwean patriot, it is important that we do not run ahead of ourselves regarding our nation’s recent election to the Security Council of the United Nations,” Coltart said.

He argued that countries with serious governance and democratic deficits have also secured seats on the powerful global body, citing Somalia as a recent example.

Somalia was elected by the UN General Assembly on 6 June 2024 for a two‑year term running from January 2025 to December 2026 after receiving 179 votes, well above the required two‑thirds majority.

Coltart noted that despite Somalia’s election, the country continues to face major economic, political and security challenges. He highlighted that Somalia’s economy, estimated at around US$13 billion in 2025, remains among the weakest globally, with GDP per capita at approximately US$760.

The country is heavily dependent on livestock exports, remittances and foreign aid, while also battling droughts, insecurity and inflation.

Coltart said Somalia’s political system remains fragile, with no nationwide direct presidential election yet held under its modern federal arrangement. He also pointed to the continued influence of clan politics, tensions between regional and federal authorities, and the persistent threat posed by the militant group Al‑Shabaab.

Citing the 2025 Freedom House assessment, Coltart said Somalia is still classified as “Not Free”, scoring only 8 out of 100 for political rights and civil liberties.

Using Somalia’s example, Coltart argued that Zimbabwe’s election to the Security Council should not be interpreted as international approval of the government or of ongoing constitutional amendment efforts.

“So whilst we can celebrate that Zimbabwe has been accorded this honour, the recent precedent of Somalia being voted to the same post shows this is not an endorsement of the current government or of the current regime’s attempt to desecrate our national Constitution,” he said.

Coltart added that Zimbabwe now has a responsibility to use its position responsibly on the international stage.

“I pray that having obtained this honour that we will use the position wisely and vote in a manner which promotes the rule of international law,” he said.

He warned that aligning with authoritarian governments at the Security Council could damage Zimbabwe’s efforts to attract broader international investment beyond the extractive industries.

“If we squander this opportunity by voting alongside tyrannies then our job of attracting good international investment beyond the extractive sector will be made even harder,” Coltart added.