Zimbabwe, Zambia to deepen ties

Source: The Herald – Breaking news.

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 President Mnangagwa welcomes Zambia’s ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) secretary-general Batuke Imenda (left) who paid a courtesy call on him at State House in Harare yesterday. — Picture: Charles Muchakagara.

Blessings Chidakwa-Herald Reporter

ZIMBABWE and Zambia are one and should continue deepening political and economic ties through enhanced collaboration, trade promotion and education partnerships, Zambia’s ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) secretary-general Mr Batuke Imenda, has said.

Mr Imenda made the remarks after paying a courtesy call on President Mnangagwa at State House in Harare yesterday during a visit aimed at strengthening party-to-party and national ties.

The visit was a follow-up to one made to Zambia by a delegation led by Zanu PF secretary-general Cde Obert Mpofu two years ago.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Mr Imenda highlighted the deep-rooted historical ties between the two countries that date back to the liberation struggle.

Zimbabwe (Southern Rhodesia) and Zambia (Northern Rhodesia) were once part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland in the colonial era.

“Even after independence, we feel that the long-standing relationship should continue and that we have agreed, as two political parties — Zanu PF and the United Party for National Development — to work together, to be united,” Mr Imenda said.

“We strongly want to see to it that these two countries persevere under difficult conditions. And we are going to support our brothers who are in Government. As far as we are concerned, Zimbabwe is part of Zambia, and Zambia is part of Zimbabwe.”

The UPND Secretary-General stressed the importance of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs and mutual respect, calling for increased trade and educational cooperation.

He said more than 6,000 Zimbabwean students are currently studying at Zambian universities.

“So, we feel, as a country, these are the kinds of exchanges we should have between the two nations,” Mr Imenda said.

He lauded President Mnangagwa, describing him as an accommodating leader.

“We thank President Mnangagwa for giving us a rare opportunity within a short period of time to see him. As soon as he heard that we were meeting at the Zanu PF headquarters, he indicated to Dr Mpofu, ‘please, I would spare a few minutes to meet our Zambian visitors before I proceed to Uganda; bring them here so that I can greet them.’ That was a rare opportunity accorded to us. We thank him very much.”

Mr Imenda said following Cde Mpofu’s visit to Zambia two years ago, they felt it was their duty to reciprocate the visit.

Cde Mpofu said one of the major issues raised during the discussions was that of fugitives who commit crimes in Zambia and hide in Zimbabwe, and vice versa.

“So that is one issue that we deliberated upon, and then we indicated to our counterparts that Zimbabwe recognises and works with political parties that are in power.”

He added that it was important for ruling parties to meet regularly and deal with various issues of mutual interest.

“We agreed that we would be meeting regularly and clearing out some of the grey areas. This was endorsed by many of the members of the UPND.”

The visit marks another step in strengthening bilateral and socio-economic cooperation between the two nations.

Present at the meeting were Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Zambia, Charity Charamba, Dr Mpofu, Foreign Affairs Minister Professor Amon Murwira, and Zanu PF secretary for External Affairs, Cde Simbarashe Mumbengegwi