VP Mohadi meets African diplomats, Zimbabwe diaspora in Malawi

Roselyne Sachiti in LILONGWE, Malawi

ZIMBABWE’s credible, free, fair and peaceful harmonised elections last year were due to the solidarity it received from friendly nations in the face of external interference, Vice President Kembo Mohadi has said.

Addressing African diplomats stationed in Malawi yesterday, VP Mohadi, who is here on a three-day visit, thanked African ambassadors for the support extended by their countries to Zimbabwe during the elections.

He said Zimbabwe, which strives to be a friend to all and an enemy to none, is spearheading a foreign policy premised on engagement and re-engagement.

“Guided by Pan-Africanism ideals, Zimbabwe will continue to strengthen and deepen political, socio-economic, cultural and scientific cooperation with fellow African brothers and sisters with the view of transforming these relations into mutually beneficial ties,” he said.

He also expressed appreciation for the African Union’s unwavering commitment in calling for the unconditional removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West.

The importance of cooperation among African countries in the wake of emerging global challenges like climate change, natural disasters and pandemics, which called for African states to closely collaborate to come up with home-made solutions, was also emphasised. VP Mohadi also met with the Zimbabwean diaspora in Malawi last night, which he described as an important asset in the country’s development.

“Under the mantra nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/llizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo, the diaspora is an asset in Zimbabwe’s economic development matrix.

“The new policy thrust, which the Second Republic enunciated, prioritises Zimbabwean diaspora engagement.

“The policy envisages that the full potential of all our nationals abroad is properly marshalled so that they fully participate in the economic recovery of their motherland, through various means, including accessing investment opportunities and providing their skills to key sectors of the economy,” he added.

He noted the significant contribution of diaspora remittances of up to 16 percent of the country’s foreign currency inflows.

The upcoming Diaspora Investment Conference and Homecoming Event, to be held between April 11 and 13 this year in Masvingo province, provides an interactive platform for the Government, local stakeholders and the diaspora to discuss practical ways in which the diaspora community can actively participate in the national development agenda, VP Mohadi said.

This initiative, he added, seeks to leverage on networking opportunities among diasporans, local industries and communities to build strategic and sustainable investment partnerships.

“This also assures our diasporans of the Government’s commitment to addressing their concerns and encourage them to fully participate in the country’s development processes as espoused in the National Development Strategy 1.”

The VP also thanked Zimbabweans living here for working in conjunction with the Embassy of Zimbabwe in Malawi to assist during Cyclone Freddy in 2023.

He urged them to continue investing back home, noting that it was the Government’s wish for Zimbabweans living abroad to be successful. He reiterated Government’s commitment to ensuring that their business interests here were protected under the existing agreements between the Governments of Zimbabwe and Malawi.