President Mnangagwa hopes membership will open the way to more trade and investment

Zimbabwe has begun talks with the UK about being readmitted to the Commonwealth as the new government attempts to burnish its international reputation.

It was suspended in 2002 over political violence against opponents of the Mugabe regime. Discussions about a return under the administration of Emmerson Mnangagwa, sworn in as president on Friday, have already taken place, according to diplomats.

Membership of the Commonwealth brings both economic and political support; for example, the Commonwealth secretariat assists member states with election monitoring, and there are immigration privileges in the UK.

Zimbabwe hopes membership will open the way to more trade and investment, especially loans.

Philip Murphy, director of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London, said: “It doesn’t involve them in any real