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(TALKZIMBABWE) Zanu PF is committed to inclusive govt, Mugabe tells Banda

Zanu PF is committed to inclusive govt, Mugabe tells Banda
Our reporter
Fri, 01 May 2009 08:45:00 +0000

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has told visiting Zambian leader Rupiah Banda, that Zanu PF is committed to the inclusive Government deal.

Speaking at a State Banquet hosted for the visiting Zambian President Rupiah Banda, President Mugabe said the pact signed by his Zanu PF party and the two Movement for Democratic Change formations will not collapse.

He said, like any such agreement, the inclusive Government was merely experiencing teething problems.

"My party Zanu PF is unrelenting in its commitment to the inclusive Government. We may experience teething problems in the process, but this is normal in an agreement of this nature.

"However, we have put mechanisms to deal with such problems and I am confident that these problems will soon be behind us," he said.

President Mugabe thanked the Zambian president and his government for their "unwavering support" to the people of Zimbabwe.

He hailed the strong bonds that have tied Zambia and Zimbabwe together over a long time which he said can best be described in the context of Siamese twins.

He said Zimbabwe will remain grateful to the sacrifice and support Zambia rendered during the liberation struggle of her southern neighbour in spite of her limited resources.

“Today when we in Zimbabwe celebrate the lives of those heroes who paid the ultimate price for the liberation of the country, we cannot do so without remembering those on the Zambian side who lost their lives for our cause in Zimbabwe.

"For these sacrifices for your country support under very difficult circumstances, Zimbabweans will remain always grateful,” President Mugabe said.

Banda was elected in October last year as as president of Zambia after former president Levy Mwanawasa died of a heart attack.

He is the first head of state to officially visit Zimbabwe outside of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) or the African Union's (AU) mission since the formation of the inclusive Government.

The president also congratulated African National Congress President Jacob Zuma on his landslide victory in the just ended national and provincial elections. "As we congratulate comrade Jacob Zuma, we wish him and the ANC all progress as they run the affairs of state, with a new mandate from the people."

President Mugabe thanked all the Sadc leaders for their efforts in helping form the inclusive Government in Zimbabwe.

He said however the Sadc region, which is known for its peace and stability, is disturbed by recent developments in Madagascar where a legitimately elected President was deposed from power.

The President expressed serious concern about the recent attempt to assassinate the democratically elected leader of Lesotho, Prime Minister Pakaditha Mosisidi.

BANDA CALLS FOR DEEPER RELATIONS

President Banda called for deeper relations between Zambia and Zimbabwe in developing the economies of the two countries.

He said Zambia and Zimbabwe face the same challenges of underdevelopment characterized by high levels of poverty and that "t is for this reason that the two countries need to work together in order to enhance economic growth, food security, peace and good governance."

The Zambian President said the two countries should continue at regional, continental and international fora in ensuring regional development in the sectors of infrastructure, trade and agriculture.

President Banda noted with satisfaction that under the Joint Commission of Cooperation (JPC) established over 20 years ago, Zambia and Zimbabwe have been able to implement various projects aimed enhancing economic interaction between the two sister republics.

He noted that through the JPC, Zambia and Zimbabwe are implementing the infrastructure development projects such as the One-Stop border post at Chirundu that will go a long way at reducing the cost of doing business.

The two countries are also working together in developing energy generating capacities, which is a critical input in increasing trade and investment.

Labels: MUGABE, RUPIAH BANDA, ZANU-PF

posted by MrK @ 6:53 PM