Harare — The five ambassadors nominated by the MDC formations to represent the country abroad have been assigned mission stations and will be deployed to their bases in December.

Ambassadors Hebson Makuvise, Hilda Suka-Mafudze, Jacqueline Nomhla Zwambila, Mabed Khumbulani from MDC-T and MDC's Getrude Stevenson-Dickey completed two months diplomatic training in Harare early this month.

A senior official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said: "They have been assigned and are likely to be posted to their respective countries in December this year."

The official would not give further details.

Makuvise has been assigned to Germany, Zwambila to Australia, Mafudze will be in Sudan, Khumbulani has been posted to Nigeria, while Stevenson is going to Senegal.

One of the new ambassadors yesterday told The Herald that almost everything was now in place for their deployment.

"At the moment we are visiting all the ministries to appraise ourselves on their operations. I cannot wait to represent my country," the new diplomat said.

On Wednesday, the ambassadors visited the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry where they were briefed on its operations by Minister Walter Mzembi.

The three principals to the global political agreement that gave birth to the inclusive Government agreed that the MDC formations nominate five ambassadors-designate for posting to Zimbabwean missions abroad.

Recently, Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi challenged the diplomats to be prepared to promote and defend Zimbabwe's strategic interests, image and influence.

He reminded the diplomats to be guided by the Global Political Agreement and the Short-Term Emergency Recovery Programme in carrying out their duties.

Minister Mumbengegwi said they should fight for the removal of illegal sanctions imposed on the country by the West.