Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere
Senior Reporter
President Mnangagwa’s recent meetings with his Mozambican and Zambian counterparts highlight Zimbabwe’s commitment to a ‘neighbourhood first’ principle, as it now has Bi-National Commissions (BNC) with all its neighbours South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana and Zambia.
This came out at Tuesday’s post cabinet briefing addressed by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere.
The President will also next year assume chairmanship of COMESA and his engagements are calculated towards a major push for regional cooperation, this approach fulfills the constitutional requirement of integrating into Africa.
During his tenure as SADC chair President Mnangagwa championed the establishment of a regional development fund and the importance of industrialisation and innovation among member States.
“His Excellency the President Cde. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa undertook a State Visit to Mozambique and was received by President Daniel Francisco Chapo,” said Dr Muswere.
“The two Heads of State and Government convened the Inaugural Session of the Zimbabwe – Mozambique BiNational Commission.
“Cabinet considered and noted the report on the Inaugural Bi-National Commission (BNC) between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Republic of Zambia,” said Dr Muswere.
He also said Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga attended the 2025 Sub-Regional World Children’s Commemoration Day, held in Gaborone, Botswana. In Botswana, the Vice President met with Botswana’s President, Duma Boko.
Additionally, Dr Muswere said VP Chiwenga participated in the G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he also held discussions with his counterpart, Deputy President Paul Mashatile.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira, explained the importance of these meetings at the level of the Presidency.
“Starting with implementing the neighbourhood first principle, you would know that by now all countries around us are cooperating with us,” said Minister Murwira.
“With Botswana, we have a Bi-National Commission, with South Africa, a Bi-National Commission, with Zambia, we now have a Bi-National Commission and with Mozambique, we now have a Bi-National Commission.
“This approach by President Mnangagwa fulfils the constitutional requirement of integrating into Africa. When he was chair of SADC, he made sure that regional integration was his primary objective.
“Regional integration is done through joining the economies, basically and destroying barriers. He did this through the establishment of a regional development fund. President Mnangagwa made sure that the SADC countries work more closely together in industrialisation and innovation.”
He indicated that President Mnangagwa is now serving as the Vice Chair of COMESA ahead of the assumption of the chairmanship of the bloc in October next year.
“We are in the process of being the interim chair until October next year,” said Minister Murwira.
“The President is now the Vice Chair of COMESA. We are in the process of being the interim chair until October next year. These are again movements towards closer regional cooperation.
“When you begin to trade, you begin to promote peace and co-existence. Our objective is to create a society that is democratic.”
He said these efforts signify strides towards closer regional cooperation, ultimately fostering trade and economic growth across the region.
