Zimbabwe, Mozambique urged to strengthen relations for mutual benefit

Zimbabwe and Mozambique enjoy cordial relations dating back from the liberation struggle.

Mozambique provided sanctuary to ZANLA forces in terms of training camps and material support for the war. It also accepted hordes of refugees fleeing the war in the then Rhodesia.

In the post-liberation epoch, the two countries have continued being each other’s keeper. Many Zimbabweans remember how the country’s military intervened to assist Mozambique during the RENAMO civil war. To get a closer view of how the two countries relations are panning out, Zimpapers Politics Hub Senior Writer, Joseph Madzimure, (JM) recently had an interview with Mozambican Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Carvalho Muaria (CM).

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JM: What is the current state of relations between Zimbabwe and Mozambique?

CM: The Republics of Mozambique and Zimbabwe enjoy historic relations, which date back to the time before both countries’ collaboration in the liberation struggles for political, socio-economic, and cultural empowerment of our people, towards self-determination against the odds of colonial bondage.

JM: After both countries gained their independence, at what stage did contemporary bilateral relations between the two nations officially began?

CM: Besides the historical facet, the contemporary bilateral relations between the two sister nations were officially established with the signing of the General Cooperation Agreement (GCA) in May 1980, which established the Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation (JPCC).

JM: Which areas of cooperation did you sign under the General Cooperation Agreement (GCA)?

CM: Under the GCA, the two countries identified important areas of cooperation, such as political and diplomacy, defence and security, education and culture, health, agriculture, industry and commerce, energy, tourism, mineral resources transports and communications, public works and housing, local government, justice and home affairs, among others.

JM: What do you think needs to be done to further strengthen the relations that exist for the mutual benefit of the two countries?

CM: The success of our relations required all of us to commit to a common belief for a better tomorrow for our people with unwavering support and mutual solidarity, standing by each other in both times of peace and challenges.

Currently, under the leadership of His Excellency President Mnangagwa and his Mozambican counterpart, President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, both countries are working tirelessly for the implementation of important infrastructural projects, such as in the energy sector, Corridors of Beira, Nacala, and Limpopo, the establishment of one stop border post between Machipanda and Forbes Border Posts, the Techobanine Port and railway which will link Botswana, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.

The projects mentioned above aim to promote and facilitate the movement of people, goods, and services between the two countries and benefit the integration of the entire SADC region under its Free Trade Area Protocol.

JM: What do you think is affecting the speedy implementation of some of the projects?

CM: In the same spirit of solidarity, the Government of the Republic of Mozambique stands firm on its call for the unconditional removal of all forms of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by Western countries, which continue to represent a stumbling block for the country’s development policies. Presently, the two countries are engaging in the following: Permanent high-Level interactions between our heads of State and Government as well as governmental institutions; signing of several treaties; deepening of the economic diplomacy; guarantee equitable management and use of common watercourses; conclude the process of the reaffirmation of the common borders; promote the importation of power to Zimbabwe; promote public/private sector interactions; collaboration in the multilateral arena.

These are some of the self-explanatory acts of fruitful cooperation between Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

The excellence of our relations is witnessed by the elevation in 2022, of the JPCC into the Bi-National Commission. Therefore, we remain determined to deepen our historic relations as we march towards being masters of our own destinies.

JM: As Zimbabwe will be hosting the 44th SADC Summit next month, what are your expectations?

CM: Gearing up to host the 44th edition of the SADC Summit in Harare, is a moment when Zimbabwe will take over the chairmanship of the bloc.

I expect Zimbabwe, as it did in the past, once again, to successfully host the regional event in a fashionable, memorable and peace-loving warm environment, and thereafter, chair the bloc anchored on the country’s leadership vast experience and wisdom, with the support and collaboration with all Member States, Mozambique included.

JM: What are some of the burning issues do you think will be discussed at the summit?

CM: SADC Heads of State and Government are expected to discuss and deliberate on an array of issues, including but not limited to matters related to peace and security challenges affecting some member States, the impact of the devastating El-Nino-induced drought, and climate changes, innovation, and regional integration as a tool to unlock opportunities for sustainable socioeconomic growth and development towards regional industrialisation.

The summit will present an opportunity for the regional leaders to witness at first-hand, the progress being championed by the resilient and determined Second Republic.

Works for the regional bloc’s summit are at an advanced stage with various infrastructure works already complete including roadworks, accommodation, and reticulation while others are in their final stretch.

Some of the projects being pursued are road infrastructure network, technological, mining, and agricultural transformations, industrialisation, and modernisation initiatives to name a few, towards the attainment of an upper middle-class economy by 2030, despite the country being under more than 20 years of suffocating sanctions.