3-mob.com 
Zimbabwe president Emmerson Mnangagwa has done something his predecessor had not done for the longest.
He shook hands with former Btitish Prime Minister Tony Blair.
This was at the current Africa Green Revolution Forum 2022 in Rwanda.
The Zimbabwean head of state said, “For Zimbabwe to flourish, we cannot let history hold us back. It was a pleasure to meet Tony Blair (@InstituteGC) and Baroness Scotland, Secretary General for the Commonwealth (@PScotlandCSG).”
The background
Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom’s relationship went pear-shaped in the 1990s when Tony Blair’s Labour Party came into power. They nixed their commitment to pay for land resettlement in Zimbabwe and former President Robert Mugabe made them enemy number one.
Remember the famous, “Blair keep your England and I will keep my Zimbabwe.”
Sanctions came and the late Mugabe for the rest of his presidency took every chance he had to take shots at the former British Prime Minister and his bosom buddy, former US president George W Bush.
Add to that, Zimbabwe pulled out of the Commonwealth.
The handshake
The two meeting and shaking hands is a big deal and it isn’t.
The good part is that this is a person who has been a nemesis for Zimbabwe and as part of the engagement efforts, this is something of a attempt at healing wounds.
But these are largely cosmetic wounds since Blair is no longer a government official, which means he can shake hands with whomever he wishes without attracting the ire of the government.
That is different from he furore around Mugabe shaking hands with Prince Charles at some point.
It won’t make seismic shifts on either side. The current Zanu-pf is not as ideologically fastened as they were under Mugabe, with a more centrist approach to policy. Also, like back then, whatever the President decides will be. And the public in general does not see a reconciliation with Blair or a relationship with UK as a hill upon which they will die.
On the other end, Blair doesn’t hold much stock with the political elites. Maybe with Labour Leader Sir Kier Stamer but it’s complicated.
The body language
This one is a bit interesting.
Mnangagwa is giddy if you look at his face and shakes with both hands. Using both hands exudes warmth, being trustworthy, honest and friendly. Well it is meant to, but it is just a politicians handshake.
That said, Blair takes control because his hand is above Mnangagwa’s. Well it is either he gives control or gets control, but for a deliberate communicator like Blair, this feels like he is on it.
It gets more interesting. Blair has partial arm barrier, that his left hand is used for protection. It normally has to do with fear or strangers. Or worse, an attempt to block out what is seen as a threat or undesirable circumstance.
The other is slightly negated by the fact that Blair leans in to the handshake.
As for the eye contact, he always does that.
The verdict
It’s cordial, they were at worst civil but it is a diplomatic coup for Mnangagwa. Again, on the cosmetic level.
As for the handshake with Baroness Scotland, that was never a problem.
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