Maravi

(HERALD) ‘West still trying to isolate Zim’

‘West still trying to isolate Zim’
Herald Reporter

The visiting South West African People’s Organisation delegation has accused Western countries of creating reactionary political parties in futile attempts to dislodge liberation movements in Southern Africa from power and replace them with puppet regimes.

The three-member delegation led by Swapo secretary- general and Namibian Justice Minister Cde Pendukeni Ithana, met senior Zanu-PF officials at the party’s headquarters in Harare yesterday.

They exchanged notes and shared experiences the revolutionary political parties have gone through over the years.

The Swapo delegation later paid a courtesy call on Acting President Joice Mujuru, who briefed the members on the formation of the inclusive Government and the progress it has achieved so far.

Briefing journalists after the closed-door meeting, Cde Ithana said: "I came to pay a courtesy call on her to link up on many issues of interest both to the Government of Zimbabwe and government of Namibia, to Swapo and Zanu-PF. We are interested in following progress being made in the inclusive Government here."

She also updated Acting President Mujuru on Swapo’s preparations for elections set for November 27 and 28 this year.

During a meeting with senior Zanu-PF officials earlier, Cde Ithana bemoaned imperialist machinations in Southern Africa.

"The onslaught is not only on Zimbabwe, but it merely started in Zimbabwe. Western imperialists are looking at a formula to eliminate former liberation movements from power. We need to learn through every experience we have gone through," Cde Ithana said.

She accused Western imperialists of moving around the continent creating reactionary political parties.

The ruling Swapo secretary-general, said the West’s attention was on Southern Africa because of the region’s vast mineral resources.

Cde Ithana said the imperialists were refusing to give up despite attainment of political independence by the region.

"They are refusing to give up . . . They are still holding our countries at ransom because of our resources. We should organise ourselves to have economic independence so that we become stronger and resist their attempt to isolate us," she said.

Cde Ithana said Western countries united to impose illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe and coerced other countries to isolate Harare, warning the region to guard against such machinations.

"They were going around forcing countries to abandon Zimbabwe. What may happen to Zimbabwe may happen to Namibia," she said.

Cde Ithana hailed relations between Swapo and Zanu-PF.

"You will know that Swapo and Zanu-PF are sister parties that have shared so many things for a long time. During the liberation struggle, we shared the trenches and after independence, we continue to be allies and comrades. We occasionally visit each other and share experiences," she said.

Zanu-PF secretary for administration Cde Didymus Mutasa described Swapo’s visit as the best thing ever to happen to Zanu-PF.
"We are happy she is here during this time when we are affected by Western sanctions," he said.

Cde Mutasa condemned the West for imposing illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe saying these amounted to violation of human rights. He hailed relations between Zanu-PF and Swapo.

The delegation later toured the National Heroes’ Acre, where it laid a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier.

Labels: JOICE MUJURU, NAMIBIA, NEOCOLONIALISM

posted by MrK @ 4:06 AM