Online Reporter
Africa Moyo in MAPUTO, Mozambique
ZIMBABWE and Mozambique yesterday reviewed their multifaceted cooperation in fields such as energy, transport, mineral resources, trade, agriculture, health, education, small and medium enterprises, the youth and technology during their inaugural Bi-National Commission (BNC), President Mnangagwa said.
There were also calls for the immediate establishment of a dry port facility in Beira, modernisation of the oil pipeline, as well as establishment of a one-stop-border post at Forbes-Machipanda to ensure the seamless movement of goods and people between the two countries.
During the BNC, Zimbabwe and Mozambique signed three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on Women Empowerment and Gender Equality; Youth Development; and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
In his address at the signing ceremony, President Mnangagwa said the discussions were warm, productive and reflective of the deep solidarity and excellent historic relations that unite the two countries and peoples.
“Our two governments reviewed the excellent multi-faceted cooperation between us, including in sectors such as energy, transport, mineral resources, trade, agriculture, health, education, small and medium enterprises, youth and technology,” said President Mnangagwa.
“We resolved to accelerate implementation of agreed decisions for the mutual benefit of our peoples. Youth and women empowerment were highlighted as important components and yardsticks of economic growth and sustainable development.”
The discussions focused on measures to enhance efficiency in the movement of petroleum products from the Beira Port.
A decision to establish a dry port facility at the Beira Port was made to further enhance use of the Beira Development Corridor.
The dry port, President Mnangagwa said, will not only benefit two countries but the Southern African region as well.
Zimbabwe also expressed appreciation for the support it continues to receive from Mozambique in the energy and fuel sectors.
To facilitate trade, Harare and Maputo agreed to eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers under regional (SADC) and continental (AfCFTA) frameworks.
“Our two countries are indeed desirous to eliminate all barriers to the free movement of people between us,” said President Mnangagwa.
“We value government and private sector collaborations, which have been enhanced by the convening of the Zimbabwe-Mozambique Business Forum that ran on the sidelines of the State visit. Furthermore, we agreed to conclude the framework agreement on the establishment of one-stop border posts at Forbes-Machipanda and Nyamapanda-Cuchamano border posts by the end of the first quarter of 2026.”
Further, the two countries made an undertaking to formalise a number of traditional transit points and also open more border crossing points to facilitate commerce and the free movement of people across the border.
While Zimbabwe and Mozambique have about six formal entry and exit points, only four are used commercially.
The BNC highlighted the importance of cooperation on peace and security issues, including the need to support efforts to address instability in Cabo Delgado.
When asked by a Mozambican journalist if Zimbabwe was willing to partner Mozambique in the fight against terrorism in Cabo Delgado, President Mnangagwa said: “Terrorism is terrorism and wherever it rears its ugly head, it must be fought. It has no rules and it is destructive.
“Zimbabwe will, at any moment, assist when the affected nation asks for assistance. We were once called terrorists and we know the tactics of dealing with terrorism.”
The two neighbouring countries also reiterated their shared commitment to Pan-Africanism, regional integration, multilateral cooperation and the need to reform of global institutions such as the United Nations Security Council.
“We appreciated and acknowledged Mozambique’s support for Zimbabwe’s bid for a United Nations Security Council non-permanent seat for the period 2027 to 2028,” he added.
“We (also) noted that both countries have fantastic tourism products which can be jointly marketed for the mutual benefit of our people and countries.”
Mozambican President Daniel Chapo said President Mnangagwa’s State visit demonstrated the deep relations between Harare and Maputo.
“Our relations are historical, geographical, cultural and rooted in the fight for our independence,” he said.
“We have conducted a thorough introspection of our relations and we want to reiterate our continued support to Zimbabwe even for the non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for the period 2027 to 2028. Let us maximise our relations in agriculture, tourism and hydro resources.”
President Chapo also called on the two countries to support youths and women, acknowledging that the MoUs signed will go a long way in finding lasting solutions to legitimate concerns of the two key groups.
A communique released at the end of the BNC said Zimbabwe and Mozambique agreed to establish and implement a structured Action Plan with clear timelines aimed at ensuring the effective execution of the decisions and commitments adopted during the first session of the Bi-National Commission.
The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of intensifying economic cooperation, underscoring the need to consolidate partnerships in the mineral resources and energy, transport and communications, public works, housing, water resources, tourism, health, education, science and technology, women empowerment and gender equality, youth, small and medium enterprises, and cooperatives and culture, as well as cross-border economic integration, including small-scale traders.
“The two Heads of State and Government reviewed progress on strategic energy cooperation, including the upgrade of the pipeline from Beira to Harare. They also expressed the need for collaboration in improving the logistics of petroleum products movement in order to reduce demurrages that cost the economies of both countries,” read the communique.
“They called for cooperation in renewable energy, including other sources of energy.
“The Presidents expressed concern over the security challenges in the region, including extremist violence in the northern province of Cabo Delgado in Mozambique and other areas of instability on the continent and in the world. They reaffirmed the need for coordinated and solidarity-based responses to promote security and regional stabilisation within the context of SADC and the AU.”
The leaders reaffirmed the importance of intensifying partnerships in political, defence and security sectors, and called the regular convening of the Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security.
A call for the facilitation of special documentation for the inhabitants of border communities for ease of movement between both countries was also made.
In addition, Presidents Mnangagwa and Chapo emphasised the importance of cooperation in war veteran affairs and instructed the consolidation, rehabilitation and maintenance of liberation war shrines, museums and monuments for the preservation of history and heritage.
After the BNC, President Mnangagwa laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Mozambique’s National Heroes Acre.
He also placed flowers on tombs of other heroes such as Samora Machel and Eduardo Mondlane.
In an interview afterwards, the President reminded youths to always remember that their countries’ independence did not come on a silver platter.
After that, President Mnangagwa went to MozParks, which is the biggest industrial park and free-trade zone in Mozambique.
He had occasion to see how one of the companies, Falcon Steel, makes its products.
