Online Reporter
Africa Moyo in MAPUTO, Mozambique
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has reaffirmed his commitment to deepening already existing relations between Zimbabwe and Mozambique as part of the Second Republic’s engagement and re-engagement drive.
On touching down at Maputo International Airport yesterday for a State visit and Bi-National Commission, the President said he was here to strengthen cooperation with Mozambique.
He was received by Mozambique’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Maria Manuela Lucas, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Mozambique Dr Victor Matemadanda and Mozambique’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Carvalho Muária, among others.
President Mnangagwa was then taken to the Mozambique State House, where there was a 21-gun salute in his honour before he went for a welcome dinner hosted by President Chapo.
In his address at the dinner, President Mnangagwa said he was honoured and privileged to be in Mozambique at “the gracious invitation” of his counterpart.
He added that the occasion was particularly historic since it was his first State visit following President Chapo’s inauguration as President of Mozambique.
“These engagements, among other numerous high-level exchange visits, attest to the strong fraternal and inter-twined nature of the relations between our two countries, in the quest to accelerate shared development and prosperity for our peoples,” said President Mnangagwa.
He wished President Chapo transformational success and development milestones that will leap forward the economy and people of Mozambique into a higher quality of life.
The President added that he was confident that under President Chapo’s tenure, relations between Zimbabwe and Mozambique as well as their ruling parties, ZANU PF and FRELIMO, would be consolidated.
“I appreciate your timely decision to convene the inaugural session of our Bi-National Commission, which reflects your commitment to strengthening and deepening the multi-pronged relations between Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
“Our cooperation framework under the BNC, avails the opportunity for the two of us, Your Excellency, to lead from the front as we drive and supervise the implementation of our joint projects and programmes.
“Over the years, we have witnessed cooperation in major sectors such as energy, transport, wildlife management, and security, among others,” he said.
In his remarks, President Chapo said there are a number of projects the two countries can do together, especially in energy and infrastructure.
During this State visit and BNC, a number of memorandums of understanding are expected to be signed, including in agriculture, to help the Mozambicans boost agricultural production.
Apart from BNC activities, President Mnangagwa is today expected to visit a number of key areas in Mozambique.
Yesterday, a Zimbabwe-Mozambique Bi-National Commission Ministerial Meeting was held where Prof Murwira said Harare’s presence in Maputo “for this inaugural Commission signals a renewed commitment to structured, forward-looking cooperation between our two nations”.
He added that the State visit affirms the bonds between the two countries that were forged during the liberation struggle, sustained through mutual resilience and elevated by strategic cooperation.
“Our bilateral engagements over the past two years reflect a deliberate intensification of high-level exchanges,” he said.
“From humanitarian solidarity in Chimoio to joint commemorations of independence and liberation heritage, our nations have demonstrated a profound commitment to regional unity and historical stewardship.
“Today’s dialogue offers a platform to consolidate progress and chart new pathways for cooperation. Encouraged in the spirit of mutual sovereignty and regional integration, our strategic pillars include trade facilitation.”
Prof Murwira said Zimbabwe reaffirms its commitment to removing trade barriers and enhancing border efficiency, particularly at Forbes, Machipanda and Nyamapanda border posts, which serve as vital conduits for commerce.
Zimbabwe is also committed to opening more entry and exit points between the countries to unite communities and facilitate their movements. In terms of infrastructure and connectivity, Prof Murwira said the upgrade of the Rutenga-Sango-Maputo Road demonstrates the two countries’ commitment to seamless regional mobility.
On energy security, he said Mozambique’s role in powering Zimbabwe’s grid is indispensable.
“We seek to deepen this partnership through sustainable, mutually beneficial arrangements. On regional integration and economic diplomacy, our cooperation is nested within the broader architecture of Southern African integration,” he said.
The Techobanine Point port, a deep-water mineral port planned for Matutuine to serve Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique, and the railroad corridor, stand as transformative projects promising multimodal access to global markets.
“Zimbabwe remains fully committed to its realisation,” he said.
“In agriculture, Mozambique’s offer of land in Gaza for Zimbabwean rice cultivation exemplifies pragmatic and practical solidarity.
“Zimbabwe will reciprocate by deploying technical experts to support local capacity building.”
Prof Murwira also said Zimbabwe is advancing its beneficiation capacity in diamonds and lithium, and invited Mozambique to explore synergies in value addition, technology transfer, and regional industrialisation.
Turning to security cooperation, Prof Murwira said the area remains paramount to both countries, adding that enhanced coordination and public safety would fortify their collective stability and safeguard the gains for development.
In that regard, Prof Murwira said the BNC is not merely a diplomatic instrument, but a strategic mechanism for harmonising development trajectories, aligning national priorities and advancing shared aspirations for peace, prosperity and sovereignty.
“It is extremely important that our Bi-National Commission serves as an instrument for eradicating poverty for we have one enemy, and that enemy is called poverty.
“When we convert poverty to prosperity, we encourage peace, stability and progress. As we inaugurate this Commission, Zimbabwe reaffirms its commitment to deepening bilateral ties with Mozambique.
“Zimbabwe is Mozambique, Mozambique is Zimbabwe, as said by President Chapo, and we agree. Let us move forward as one region, united by history and sacrifice, bound by purpose, and propelled by a common future. Mozambique and Zimbabwe do not share a border, they share life,” said Prof Murwira.
In her remarks, Minister Lucas said a number of Zimbabweans, especially politicians, know Mozambique better than some of them as they were born and grew up here, underlining the relations between the two countries.
“Your presence here is not merely a formality, it is a reaffirmation of the historic ties that unite our peoples,” she said.
“Mozambique and Zimbabwe share more than a border, we share a common history of struggle, liberation and resistance.
“We will never forget your readiness to support the victims of cyclones that ravaged our region, particularly more recently through the donation that the Republic of Zimbabwe made to Mozambique in the city of Chimoio, Manica, that was done by the President of Zimbabwe when he took this donation and delivered it to President Daniel Chapo.
“Similarly, we gratefully acknowledge your invaluable support in combating terrorism in the province of Cabo Delgado. Zimbabwe’s commitment to stability in Mozambique is living proof that the security of one is the security of the other,” said Minister Lucas.
She added that the first session of the BNC will lay the groundwork for the cooperation of the two countries.
“This is a milestone that elevates our cooperation to a new strategic level, requiring pragmatism and foresight on our part,” said Minister Lucas.
She added that Mozambique supports Zimbabwe’s bid for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the period 2027 to 2028.
President Mnangagwa is accompanied by Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, State Security Minister Lovemore Matuke, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya, Attorney General Mrs Virginia Mabiza and Deputy Chief Secretary (Presidential Communications) Mr George Charamba, among other senior Government officials.
