Iran Strengthens Ties with Africa amid International Isolation

President Ebrahim Raisi, on the last leg of his first Africa tour in 11 years, arrived in Zimbabwe on Thursday. The tour is intended to help reduce Iran's international isolation. The highest-profile leader to visit Zimbabwe during the election campaign for the August 23 presidential and parliamentary vote, Raisi was welcomed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa told a press briefing after talks with Raisi that it was "critically important that we, the victims of Western sanctions, are talking to each other... that we show them that we're united." He added that he was "happy you have come to show solidarity," referring to Raisi as "my brother".

Mnangagwa, 80, has blamed the country's dire economic straits on sanctions imposed by the United States and European Union. Western countries have countered that the measures only target specific individuals accused of graft and human rights abuses.

Raisi and Mnangagwa signed 12 agreements on topics such as energy, telecommunications, and the creation of a tractor factory to support agricultural mechanisation. Hundreds of people, including women wearing headscarves and school children with welcome banners, had gathered at the Robert Mugabe International Airport to greet Raisi.

Raisi's visit is part of Iran's efforts to reduce its isolation and offset the impact of sanctions. He has already been to Kenya and Uganda, and described Africa as "the continent of capacities and potentials." He added that stronger cooperation between Iran and African countries would benefit "the advancement" of both parties.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani has described Raisi's tour as "a new turning point," which could bolster economic and trade ties. Melody Muzenda, a spokeswoman for Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party, said the visit "shows we have good relations with other countries."