Former liberation movements resolute against neo-colonialism

FORMER Liberation Movements of Southern Africa (FLMSA) have been warned to guard their countries’ independence and to remain cautious of Western interveners, who are attempting to interfere with the domestic affairs of developing states.

The United States of America, United Kingdom and their European allies have been especially blamed for attempting to use non-governmental organisations and opposition parties to further their neo-colonial agenda.

Former Liberation Movements of Southern Africa, which include Zanu-PF, South Africa’s ANC, Tanzania’s Chama Cha Mapinduzi, Mozambique’s Frelimo, Movement for Liberation of Angola, Namibia’s South West Africa People’s Organisation and the Botswana Democratic Party, have been urged to stay united to oppose this.

The parties are holding the 11th meeting of their secretary generals and wings in Victoria Falls.

The secretary generals and their delegations, as well as some Zanu-PF Politburo members are in attendance. The last such conference was held in 2019 in Victoria Falls, where resolutions were made on ideological impartation, establishment of a permanent secretariat of the liberation movements, continuing the anti-sanctions lobby, the need to subdue the scourge of Afrophobia and the outright fight against neo-imperialism.

The conference started yesterday with a moment of silence in memory of the late Namibian President Hage Geingob, who died last month.

Speaking at the meeting, Zanu-PF secretary general and chairman of the FLMSA, Cde Obert Mpofu, said it was no secret that the FLMSA were under siege from detractors who wished to sow seeds of division.

He said the solidarity and revolutionary bonds that tie all sister parties together should be unbreakable.

“We are the parties that were instrumental in ending the subjugation of our people by the imperialists and bringing independence to our respective countries. It was a collective effort and we should always act as a collective,” said Cde Mpofu.

“We are but wary of their shenanigans, hence the Former Liberation Movements of Southern Africa should stand firm and continue strengthening their bond in defence of our liberation gains.

“We should be wary of the hidden hand of our detractors who have attacked the Liberation Movements with the aim of dividing us. Our detractors from the West have contaminated the world with their holier-than-thou approach and are on the forefront of igniting endless wars as part of their nefarious agenda. We must remain vigilant from such manoeuvres and remain united,” he said.

He said no divisions will succeed as what binds FLMSA is more than what could separate them.

Cde Mpofu said former liberation movements will forge ahead with finishing the work of realising the dreams of Pan-Africanism, as espoused by the continent’s icons such as Kwame Nkrumah and using the ideology set forth by Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, one of the pioneer African nationalists.

To avoid infiltration and remain united, the former liberation movements have committed to meeting regularly with plans put in place to ensure that Heads of State also meet regularly.

Cde Mpofu said since their last meeting in 2019, some remarkable progress had been achieved, including completion of the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School in Tanzania, while works on the Museum of African Liberation in Zimbabwe have commenced with the assistance of China.

“The events of the past few years have shown that there is an urgent need for us to meet on a more regular basis to share experiences. We risk being infiltrated if we are apart for too long and if we do not stand together as a unit,” he said.

“We should constantly meet and chart ways of ensuring that the gains of independence, which we all fought for, are not lost. Our meeting should also focus on sharing notes and experiences on how we can thwart the machinations of our detractors.”

The meeting is being held under the theme: “Unity, collaboration and defence of our liberation gains against neo-colonialism.”

Cde Mpofu said only those with a true conviction to stand with the truth and a strong moral obligation for justice will make a difference in this world.

This was in reference to acts of genocide happening in Gaza, and he applauded South Africa for its triumph at the International Court of Justice.

However, Israel has defied the court’s judgment and continues with its onslaught against innocent civilians.

Cde Mpofu said the world is not for bullies anymore and bullies should be reprimanded.

With South Africa, Tanzania, Mozambique and Namibia set to hold elections this year, Cde Mpofu said they should draw lessons from Zanu-PF, which emerged victorious in harmonised elections in August 2023 despite attempts by detractors to discredit the poll outcome.

“My party Zanu-PF and our President and First Secretary Cde Mnangagwa resoundingly won the August 2023 harmonised elections, hence the election subject matter has been closed.

“We are now looking forward to the upcoming elections in South Africa, Tanzania, Mozambique and Namibia and we are confident that ANC, Chama Cha Mapinduzi, Frelimo and Swapo will emerge victorious. Winning is indeed entrenched in our DNA.

“As you may be aware, the opposition aligned and Western sponsored media has been on a crusade to discredit the great works being done by us for the benefit of our people. It is such actions that we should be wary of and remain united. In that same vein, we should stand in solidarity with Cuba, Palestine and the people of the Saharawi Republic,” he said.

ANC secretary general, Cde Fikile Mbalula, concurred saying the FLMSA will overcome the enemy if they work together.