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(HERALD) ‘Zim, Southern Sudan to strengthen ties’

‘Zim, Southern Sudan to strengthen ties’
Herald Reporters

ZIMBABWE will soon open a consulate in Southern Sudan to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, Vice President Joice Mujuru said on Wednesday. VP Mujuru said this at a dinner she hosted for Sudan First Vice President Salva Kiir Mayardit who is also Southern Sudan President.

"I wish to inform you that Zimbabwe will soon open a consulate in Juba (Southern Sudan capital), with a view to broadening and deepening our bilateral cooperation," she said.

VP Mujuru said relations between Zimbabwe and Southern Sudan date back to the early 1980s when the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement was launched to rid Africa’s largest country of all forms of injustices.

"The history of co-operation between the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe and the SPLM is well documented.

"We would want to underline that when the SPLM, under the late charismatic John Garang took up arms to fight, what they were fighting were the relics of injustice.
"Because the fight in Sudan was aimed at eradicating all forms of oppression we found common ground with them as we had also fought to unshackle ourselves from the yokes of colonialism," said VP Mujuru.

She called on the international community to support the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed between SPLM and the Government of Sudan to end the civil war in that country in 2005.

"I wish to call upon the international community to resolutely support all efforts leading to the full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
"As you may be aware, Zimbabwe is in the process of implementing its own Global Political Agreement and we understand the value of international support in such initiatives.

"We want to underline, however, that there is a clear distinction between support and interference. We believe support should be based on the concept of sovereign equality of nations," said VP Mujuru.

She also urged Zimbabwean businessman to take advantage of investment opportunities in Southern Sudan.

"To all business people and prospective investors in our midst, here is a generously endowed country waiting for a Midas touch to assume its rightful place among the economic giants of Africa.

"I am informed that Southern Sudan is home to some of Africa’s perennial rivers. As a farming nation ourselves, we can only conclude that given its size, rainfall patterns and soil fertility, Southern Sudan is naturally an attractive partner for us in agricultural development," she said.

The Sudanese Vice President thanked Zimbabwe for the assistance it extended during their struggle.

"I came here to thank you and all brothers and sisters in Sadc for all the assistance and the important role you played in our struggle. Although we are late in thanking you we are mindful of our friends and will never forget you," said VP Mayardit. He said his government needed support because there was little or no institutions of infrastructure in Sudan.

"Things were not easy for us when we came from the bush because there were no institutions in the first place, we did not have any infrastructure. You are a government that has been there for a long time and we have a lot to learn from you," said VP Mayardit.

VP Mayardit arrived in the country on Wednesday to consult and update President Mugabe on the peace agreement between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army and the government in Khartoum.

Labels: JOICE MUJURU, SUDAN, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 7:03 PM