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Fidelis Munyoro Herald Reporter
President Mugabe is the liberation icon of Africa who has consistently preached that the continent and its resources belong to Africans and therefore should benefit them, the African Union has said.
The AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Smail Chergui said Africa would remain indebted to President Mugabe’s visionary leadership.
He said this while addressing security forces drawn from various institutions locally and regionally and University of Zimbabwe and Midlands State University students at the National Defence College last week.
Ambassador Chergui, who was standing in for the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr Nkosazana Zuma, made a presentation on the theme: “The African Union Peace and Security Architecture (APSA); Successes and Challenges”.
Zimbabweans, he said, were blessed to have a President who “has seen it all and has heard it all”.
“But more importantly, as Africans, we are all blessed too and, as we strive for solutions to the many challenges facing our great continent, we will always continue to need President Mugabe’s wisdom, advice, leadership and guidance,” he said.
“To most of us, President Mugabe is a living library on the history of the liberation struggle in Africa and of many other issues of interest to Africa.”
Ambassador Chergui said President Mugabe had made immeasurable contributions to the liberation of Zimbabwe, southern Africa and the entire African continent.
“Not only has he ensured that your beautiful Zimbabwe and its people have the enabling conditions to enjoy full political and economic independence, as well as sustainable development, but he has also spared no effort in ensuring that your country remains a shining beacon of peace and stability,” he said.
Ambassador Chergui said Zimbabwe’s much-talked about land reform programme was born out of President Mugabe’s desire to ensure total independence for the country’s citizens.
Most notable, Ambassador Chergui said, President Mugabe promoted national reconciliation and unity among the people of different races in Zimbabwe when the country attained independence in 1980.
“I believe it is our shared hope that during the course of this year, under the guidance of President Mugabe as chairman, our AU will make tremendous progress in addressing various challenges we continue to face,” he said.
Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga, Central Intelligence Organisation director-general Retired Major General Happyton Bonyongwe and other high-ranking Government officials attended the event.
Online Reporter