Jasper Hloka

Government’s engagement efforts with the west yesterday took a more practical step when President Emmerson Mnangagwa met with the United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Tribor Nagy, in Mozambique at the on-going 12th Edition of the US-Africa Business Summit. 

The  meeting demystified the mis-information by the country’s regime change proponents who have been touting that the US has been snubbing Government’s efforts to reach it out and re-engage. US of late has been handy to Zimbabwe when it availed financial support for the victims of Cyclone Idai in the country’s Eastern Highlands, Chimanimani, specifically.

Briefing on the meeting, President Mnangagwa reiterated his call for unity in Africa stating that “we must look at the history of Africa, the first phase was liberation, the second phase is unification. We will only progress together. We look forward to working with the US and our friends around the world, as we march as a continent towards peace and prosperity.” 

Commenting on the meeting, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube indicated that President Mnangagwa had managed to convey his gratitude to the US for the support they rendered the nation in the aftermath of the Cyclone Idai disaster.

“We are beginning to find common ground, President Mnangagwa was able to share with Nagy the progress registered on legislative reforms, and the economic reforms through the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP),” revealed Prof Ncube. 

Prof Ncube added that Government is moving to a position where it could engage with the US freely, before summarising the meeting as a wonderful discussion.