Tinotenda Hove – President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s recent meeting with members of the Zimbabwean diaspora in Japan has drawn sharp criticism, with many viewing it as yet another empty gesture aimed at masking the deepening economic and governance failures back home.

During the meeting, Mnangagwa reportedly boasted about his administration’s so-called “strides” in food security and agricultural development. However, his claims ring hollow for millions of Zimbabweans who continue to face chronic food shortages, erratic agricultural support, and the consequences of a crumbling rural infrastructure.

While the president spoke of dam construction and irrigation projects, there was no mention of the persistent corruption, mismanagement, and politicization of land and agricultural resources that have rendered many of these initiatives ineffective. Critics argue that the government’s grand announcements rarely translate into meaningful action or sustained impact on the ground.

Mnangagwa’s call for the diaspora to contribute to Zimbabwe’s rebuilding efforts also comes across as ironic, considering that many professionals and skilled workers were forced to flee the country due to the same economic misrule and political repression that continues to define his administration. Asking them now to “assist” a broken system they once escaped from is viewed by many as disingenuous at best.

The entire meeting is being seen by analysts as a desperate attempt to save face on the international stage rather than a sincere engagement with the diaspora. As long as the government fails to address the root causes of Zimbabwe’s economic and social decline—chief among them corruption, authoritarianism, and lack of accountability—such overseas charm offensives are unlikely to win over the hearts or wallets of those abroad.