SADC Chairperson President Mnangagwa has commended the existing strong ties between Zimbabwe and Mozambique, which date back to the days of the country’s liberation struggle.
He was speaking after attending Mozambique’s 50th independence celebrations in Maputo this Wednesday.
The 50th Independence celebrations attracted several heads of state and government, including SADC Chairperson President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The celebrations started with the laying wreaths led by President Daniel Chapo at the country’s heroes acre, where a huge crowd gathered to witness the respect being accorded to their liberation icons, before heads of state and government and other dignitaries converged at Machava Stadium for the main celebrations.
Various musical and cultural groups entertained the crowd at the stadium at the celebrations, with Mozambique President Daniel Chapo inspecting parade, marking the beginning of festivities.
President Mnangagwa praised the existing strong bilateral relations between the two nations, noting that Mozambique’s freedom was critical it propelled Zimbabwe’s emancipation five years later.
“Mozambique and Zimbabwe are twins, in the first place. We were assisted to acquire our independence by Mozambique. We were here (Mozambique) when we were fighting Ian Smith, so we cannot forget the revolutionary support we received from the people of Mozambique, particularly the FRELIMO party that hosted us and kept us here as we struggled against Ian Smith. So there is that bond of brotherhood, that bond of struggle between us and the people of Mozambique. We are brothers and sisters. What affects them will affect us. What affects us will affect Mozambique. We are twins in my view,” he said.
The Independence celebrations are being held under the theme: “50 Years of Independence: Consolidating National Unity, Peace and Sustainable Development”
Zimbabwe used Mozambique as its Launch Pad during the liberation struggle, with Maputo being its headquarters.
“I am happy that I have walked the 50 years of history. As Zimbabwe, we prosecuted our war from here, based here in Maputo as the political headquarters,” he said.
It was a moment to reflect on how to overcome the challenges that the country has faced in the past 50 years, and how to turn Mozambique into a prosperous, democratic and peaceful society for the next half a century.
