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Munyaradzi Huni in MAPUTO, Mozambique
President Mugabe arrived here yesterday to attend Mozambique’s 40th Independence celebrations that are set to be held at Machaba Stadium today. The President, who is accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi and Secretary for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Mr George Charamba and other senior Government officials, was welcomed at Maputo International Airport by Ambassador to Mozambique Nicholas Dube, embassy staff and Mozambican government officials.
VP Mnangagwa is the Acting Presi- dent.
President Mugabe, who is the chairman of sadc and the African Union is scheduled to speak during the celebrations and Mozambicans are looking forward to his speech as evidenced by the television and radio broadcasts here.
Zimbabwe and Mozambique share cordial relations that date back to the days of the liberation struggle.
Mozambique got independent on June 25, 1975 after a protracted war against Portugal.
The independence celebrations come after the inauguration of the country’s fourth president, Filipe Nyusi, in January this year.
Mozambique has, since independence, been ruled by Frelimo which has won successive elections since 1975.
The country’s founding president, Samora Machel, was a close friend of President Mugabe and his death on October 19, 1986 plunged the region into mourning.
Online Reporter