Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was warmly welcomed Thursday in Zimbabwe. Hundreds of people, including school children waving welcome banners, had gathered at the airport to greet the arrival of the Iranian leader, on the last leg of his historic African tour.
On the tarmac at Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa addressed his Iranian counterpart as “my brother”.
The visit comes as the Islamic Republic attempts to ease its international isolation, a situation it shares in part with Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is also largely isolated on the international stage, the target of US and EU sanctions over corruption and human rights abuses.
Mr. Raisi had previously visited Kenya and Uganda this week, meeting in particular with his counterparts William Ruto and Yoweri Museveni.
The Zimbabwean Foreign Ministry said several agreements were to be signed during the one-day visit.