Online Reporter
Spiwe Sarakunze-Herald Reporter
EGYPT yesterday marked its 73rd Independence Anniversary as its Ambassador to Zimbabwe Salwa Mowafi bade farewell as her tour of duty ends next month.
This came as the two nations said they were committed to strengthening cooperation in various areas including agriculture, energy, infrastructure development, ICT, health and sport, among many others.
Speaking at the colourful event, Acting Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said their cooperation programmes were mutually beneficial.
“These programmes have significantly enhanced the quality of our human capital. They align with Zimbabwe’s Heritage Based Education 5.0 model, which promotes innovation and knowledge-based economic development.”
In a speech read on her behalf by Acting Foreign Affairs and International Trade Permanent Secretary Rudo Faranisi, Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said while the Third Session of the Zimbabwe-Egypt Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC) could not take place this year due to unforeseen circumstances, the forum would be expedited in the near future.
She acknowledged Egypt’s rich historical legacy and its pivotal role in shaping African independence movements.
“The country’s independence was born out of the heroic revolution of July 23, 1952, led by former President Gamal Abdel Nasser.”
She also acknowledged Egypt’s longstanding support for Zimbabwe, particularly during the liberation struggle.
“Egypt provided military training to some of our combatants, including our current President, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa,” she added.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri emphasised the influence of Egypt’s independence on African liberation struggles, noting that the resilience and courage of the Egyptian people served as a source of inspiration for Zimbabwe’s own journey to independence in 1980.
“This revolution marked Egypt’s full emergence into modern history and the restoration of its ownership of the Suez Canal,” she said.
The minister praised Ambassador Mowafi for her dedication to strengthening bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and Egypt.
“Your Excellency, we are grateful for your commitment and the Embassy’s efforts in delivering tangible results for the benefit of our two great nations,” she said.
She also highlighted the role Egypt play in contributing to the sustainable development of Zimbabwe’s new capital city, Mt. Hampden.
“Ambassador Mowafi’s efforts have been instrumental in deepening our cooperation,” said the Minister.
She cited Egypt’s provision of over 105 training opportunities since 2023.
These included programmes in wind power, anti-corruption, counter-terrorism, climate change, health, electric grid development, peacekeeping, diplomacy, and surgical interventions. Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to continued friendship and collaboration with Egypt.
“We extend our heartfelt wishes for the continued good health and long life of the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and our own President Mnangagwa,” she said.
Ambassador Mowafi said Egyptian-Zimbabwe relations were witnessing more depth, day after day, year after year, in all areas of cooperation under the leadership of President Abdul-Fatah Al-Sisi and President Mnangagwa.
“Our trade volume has recently doubled. More business engagements are emerging. We are all standing under our waiving Egyptian flag celebrating very special moments of the Egyptian modern history, when late legendary president Abdul Nasser revolted with his fellow comrades and civilian Egyptians unleashing the chains of brutal colonialism,” she said.
The ambassador said the sustainable exchange of expertise through training and capacity building were intensifying in fields of health, construction, security and many others.
“We are proud to have today here with us some of the Zimbabwean trainees who went to Egypt this year and also we are so proud to have our Egyptian open heart surgeons team who are currently visiting Zimbabwe,” she said.
