ED briefs Sadc leaders on Zimbabwe’s just-ended harmonised elections

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa briefed four Sadc leaders on Zimbabwe’s harmonised elections describing them as peaceful, free, and fair while further engagements were made on power co-operation with Mozambique.

The President briefed the regional leaders on the sidelines of 78th session of the United National General Assembly (UNGA), which ran from 18 to 22 September.

President Mnangagwa returned to the country on Monday before leading the first Cabinet meeting post-elections yesterday.

In his post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said President Mnangagwa’s UNGA engagements were highly productive.

He said Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Frederick Shava briefed the Cabinet on President Mnangagwa’s engagement at UNGA.

“Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that His Excellency the President engaged his Sadc counterparts, notably H.E. President Lourenzo of Angola; H.E. President Nyusi of Mozambique; H.E. President Geingob of Namibia; and H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa. The engagements were on the recent peaceful, free and fair harmonised elections in Zimbabwe, as well as cooperation in the energy sector with Mozambique,” he said.

Dr Muswere said President Mnangagwa also met the UK Minister for International Development and Africa, Mr Andrew Mitchell; the president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina and the president of the Afrexim Bank, Professor Benedict Oramah.

Others include Ms Heather Chalmers, president of International Growth Markets, GE Vernova and Abdelhalim, president, Africa GE Vernova and executives from Investments in Manufacturing, Production and Infrastructure Inc. (IMPI).

Dr Muswere said President Mnangagwa also used the platform to share the successes of the country’s land reform programme.

Zimbabwe last year produced a record wheat production which made the country one of the only two African countries to be self-sufficient.

“He highlighted the benefits of the land reform programme in Zimbabwe, particularly the record production of wheat and tobacco. He emphasised that previous crop production records had been surpassed, adding that the country is now food secure,” said Dr Muswere.

He said President Mnangagwa, in his address, stressed the need for strengthening worldwide co-operation to address the global crisis.

Dr Muswere said President Mnangagwa was also joined by friendly countries in calling for the removal of the Western-imposed sanctions that are derailing economic progress in the country.

“His Excellency the President deplored the continued application of the unilateral sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, which were causing immense suffering among the generality of the people. Leaders from Angola, Cuba, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa joined His Excellency the President in calling for the unconditional lifting of the sanctions,” he said.

The Minister said President Mnangagwa also participated in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit; the High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development; the High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response; Universal Health Coverage (UHC); and the Fight against Tuberculosis.

“His Excellency the President joined other leaders from the Global South in calling for the reform of the global financial architecture, the need for more investments in the health sector, and resource mobilisation towards the elimination of tuberculosis,” said Dr Muswere. — @nqotshili