Zambia–Zimbabwe relations are bilateral relations between Zambia and Zimbabwe, two neighbouring states in Southern Africa. Both countries are members of the Southern African Development Community and the African Union.
History From 1953 to 1963 they were, along with Nyasaland (now Malawi) part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.Africa Today Friends, neighbors, and former enemies: the evolution of Zambia-Zimbabwe relations in a changing regional context.(Southern Africa in the Postapartheid Era) by Scarritt, James R.; Nkiwane, Solomon M.; published 01-JAN-96
Initially the two countries had good relations after gaining independence. However, relations became strained in 2008 as Zambia, like Botswana, reported similar 'smear campaigns' against the Zambian government by Zimbabwe's state owned media, claiming it was "hired by Britain to press for a speedy regime change in Harare." The foreign affairs minister, Kabinga Pande, said it had lodged a protest against Zimbabwe, against the "sustained malicious campaign against Zambia."
Following the controversial Zimbabwean presidential election of 2008, Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa described Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe as a "regional embarrassment"."Zimbabwe's neighbours", BBC, June 2008 Post-2008, tensions thawed with Michael Sata affectionately referring to Mugabe as "Sekuru" in 2013 at a UNWTO event hosted in Victoria Falls.
See also Foreign relations of Zambia Foreign relations of Zimbabwe
References
External links Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe in Lusaka Zambian Embassy in Harare