Staff Reporter
The SADC family is seriously concerned about the deterioration of security situation in Mozambique where insurgents continue to kill innocent people, threatening regional peace and security as well as the integrity and sovereignty of that country.
This was revealed during yesterday’s meeting between President Mnangagwa and his Botswana counterpart Mokgweetsi Masisi at the State House in Harare.
Addressing the media after a closed door meeting with his Botswana counterpart, President Mnangagwa said issues to do with regional peace and security dominated their discussions.
“My brother His Excellency President Masisi from the Republic of Botswana came to Zimbabwe on a working visit, we covered significant areas, one in direct cooperation between us, Zimbabwe and Botswana in the education sector. We are concerned by the colonial education which we now want to put behind us and have education that produces goods and services for our people, so we are sharing, between Zimbabwe and Botswana, how that can be achieved.
“Second area of concern, President Masisi, as the current chairperson of the SADC Troika was briefing me about the security situation in the region with particular emphasis on what is happening in Cabo Delgado (Mozambique),” said President Mnangagwa.
President Masisi said the meeting will result in action being taken in Mozambique, where terrorists have killed hundreds of people in the region of Cabo Delgado.
“Coming to the regional issues to do with security and peace, as President Mnangagwa said, as chair of the Organ, and with President Mnangagwa as the outgoing chair and therefore a member of the Troika and President Ramaphosa as the incoming chair and a member of the Troika, last night I conferred with President Ramaphosa, I have reported to President Mnangagwa the contests of the discussions with President Ramaphosa, and we have formed views as Troika. One of them will result in taking this further so that we as SADC respond in a helpful manner to ensure that we assure the integrity and sovereignty of one of our own never to be assaulted by dissidents, rebellious non-state parties that undermine the democratic credentials and peace of the region.
“I speak on behalf of the Troika as chair, following our consultations, we are going to make that known. Right now we are going to finish that with President Ramaphosa, but you won’t have to look for it when you see it,” said President Masisi.
The Islamic terrorists who have links to the ISIS last week left a trail of death in the region’s town of Palma, where they killed dozens of people including young children and women, as well as foreigners.
President Masisi, took the opportunity to drum up support for his country’s candidate Mr Elias Mpedi Magosi, in the race to become the next SADC executive secretary, said the two countries share the same vision on education and dismantling colonial systems.
Mr Magosi, who is also the current Secretary to the President and Cabinet and Head of Botswana Civil Service, will be competing with Democratic Republic of Congo candidate Mr Faustin Luanga Mukela who is the current Head of Asia and Pacific Regional Desk at the World Trade Organisation, for the SADC top post which is currently being held by Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax whose term of office ends in August this year.
“I return to Botswana a thoroughly happy man because President Mnangagwa has adopted one of our own in Botswana in the name of Mr Elias Mpendi who we have put forward for the position of the upcoming SADC Executive Secretary.”
“We exchanged views on matters to do with COVID-19, all under the ambit of regional cooperation and integration and reiterated yet again our solidarity towards one another as Presidents, as Governments, as people and commitment to enhance bilateral relations. That’s why we were touching on the education sub-sector today. Coincidentally and happily, we are both committed to yielding a knowledge-based economy in Zimbabwe and Botswana and we are committed to making sure that we both succeed,” he said.
