The Sunday Mail
ALGERIA and Zimbabwe enjoy sound political relations which date back to the days of the latter’s struggle for Independence. The two countries are now seeking to enhance trade and economic relations to match existing political ties. Our Correspondent Wallace Ruzvidzo (WR) sat down with Algerian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Nourredine Yazid (NY) to discuss how the two countries are working on enhancing trade relations and re-establishment of a Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC), among other issues.
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WR: How would you describe relations between Zimbabwe and Algeria?
NY: Algeria and Zimbabwe have a strong long-lasting and historical relationship which dates back to the liberation struggles of the two countries. Common experiences of the two countries are enshrined in African solidarity, Pan-Africanism and shared values of freedom, fighting injustice and inequality as well as promoting peace and stability.
The two countries share experiences in suffering horrors of the barbaric and brutal colonial occupation which enabled the subjugation of our people and distortion of our history and culture, and annihilation of our political, economic, and social well-being, without any consideration to basic human rights.
Algeria played a historical role in ending colonialism in Africa. It was a strong bastion of African liberation movements and greatly contributed to helping other African countries regain their sovereignty. Algeria did not only provide Zimbabwe and many others African countries political support, but also provided military training and weapons to fight colonial regimes.
The liberation struggle was a good test of active solidarity and unity among the people of Africa to enable continuous co-operation and collaboration. Both countries, inherited values from their liberation struggles which became part of their foreign policies.
WR: Currently, how is trade between the two countries?
NY: We are satisfied with the excellent political relations. However, these excellent political relations are not measured by levels of economic and trade activities. The backbone of relations built so far between the two countries should be driven by economic cooperation and development of trade. Zimbabwe and Algeria have economic relations anchored on trade and investment cooperation, such a relationship will last and will be permanent. It is now time to turn the existing political cooperation into economic cooperation. The current trade statistics between Zimbabwe and Algeria are low. The Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can be a platform to enhance trade among African countries.
On our part His Excellency President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has given in his programme a big priority to development of trade and economic cooperation with African countries especially our friends, like Zimbabwe. Both parties are convinced that economic potential exists in the two countries, but we need to explore possibilities that exist in all fields like energy, health, tourism and others.
WR: What areas of joint cooperation currently exist?
NY: Our cooperation is good in education. Algeria is offering scholarships to Zimbabwean students. The programme had been halted because of the Covid-19 but it will be resumed in the near future.
We need to find other sectors of cooperation and to this end, the Embassy resumed discussions with Zimbabwean authorities on possibilities to hold the next session of the JPCC.
Since the last session, it was no longer known what was fulfilled and what needs to be done, so the JPCC has to be put back. Re-establishment of the JPCC will be an important step to advance the AfCFTA agenda.
We are trying to fix a date for the fourth JPCC with Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs to have five or six drafts of Memoranda of Understanding.
We have technology on vaccine production and we need cooperation in this area. For Covid-19, we are producing this vaccine and we are ready for any proposals in this area and to share information on pharmaceutical research. The next JPCC should be finalised this year or next year. There are many areas of cooperation and the objective is to maintain relations and advance economic ties.
WR: What are your thoughts on sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe?
NY: If political independence is not accompanied by economic independence then it is meaningless that is why the economy must benefit most of the population. To this end Zimbabwe developed sovereign national policies promoting and developing the economies and end unjust exploitation of their natural resources. The cost of economic freedom for Zimbabwe is for all to see, the punitive and unjust sanctions imposed because of the land reform programme are hurting the country and the first victims are the vulnerable segments of society.
Zimbabwe is experienced in dealing with challenges facing the nation, it has been under sanctions for more than 20 years and it is still standing, it is not easy to resist the illegal embargo, it is one generation of sanctions and it shows that the country is resilient. Zimbabweans have also shown that they are unified under the leadership of President Mnangagwa.
WR: What are your thoughts on Zimbabwe’s engagement and re-engagement drive as well as the country’s economic growth trajectory?
NY: Under the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe is making tremendous efforts to ameliorate the living conditions of the citizens of Zimbabwe, promoting regional and continental integration. Zimbabwe has also been promoting peace and stability by its contribution in the fight against terrorism in Mozambique and promoting African unity in facing challenges the continent is facing like poverty and underdevelopment.
There are significant efforts to improve the country’s business climate and we are seeing many visits by foreign dignitaries to invest in mining, tourism and to also have contact. Zimbabwe is succeeding under the Second Republic, the engagement and re-engagement drive by President Mnangagwa is bearing fruit and I am sure the country will succeed in its quest to be an Upper-Middle income society by 2030. There is big potential and I am sure the living conditions of the population will significantly improve. Zimbabwe is a very pivotal nation.
WR: You recently held an event where your Embassy was screening a movie on the Battle of Algiers which was part of Algeria’s struggle for independence, what is the significance?
NY: The movie is very symbolic and it is a small picture of the Algerian revolution and contribution of the people, it was a people revolution. As you saw, arrival of paratroopers was very important in the resistance, it put the French in a very difficult situation because all the population was behind the revolution. Women also played a significant role. Colonialism is a savage face of capitalism that is why people cannot support it. In Zimbabwe, during the Smith era, people resisted it.
