admin
to subvert the two countries’ independence.
Media, Information and Publicity Minister Webster Shamu yesterday said Mozambique incurred losses of more than US$556 million in its quest to see Zimbabwe attain independence.
He said this in Harare where the country celebrated its 37th independence anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo.)
“Western imperialists have become more persistent and dangerous in their quest to gain access to the natural resources of developing countries such as Zimbabwe and Mozambique,” said the minister.
“Our countries must therefore deepen political and economic co-operation while prioritising the development of indigenous media and information communication technology systems in order to successfully ward off imperialism and guarantee our economic and political survival.
“There is no doubt that the principal enemy of all the African people is the Western capitalists who are employing any means possible to gain access to the continent’s
vast natural resources.”
The minister said the Mozambique National Resistance (Renamo), which waged a war against the Frelimo government was a creation of Rhodesia, to be used as a cover to infiltrate and target Zimbabwean refugees and Mozambican economic targets.
He lauded Mozambique for its role in Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, saying Maputo felt its independence was incomplete without other countries attaining their independence.
“The cost to Mozambique was definitely much higher as this figure does not include indirect costs such as the increase in defence expenditure, damage to infrastructure and lost productivity. Furthermore, this figure does not quantify the loss of Mozambican lives,” he said.
One reason, he said, Mozambique has been designated for several years as one of the poorest countries was its support for Zimbabwe which drained a lot from its Treasury.
Mozambique’s ambassador to Zimbabwe Dr Vicente Veloso hailed the cordial relations between Harare and Maputo saying the two shared a lot in common.
He said there have been intermarriages among people from the two nations, further strengthening their relations.
He, however, said the anniversary was his last in Harare as his tour of duty will be ending this year.
The event was attended by senior Government officials and diplomats from African, Asian and Western countries.
Online Reporter