(TALKZIMBABWE) Jealously guard your independence - Odinga

Jealously guard your independence: Odinga
Posted by By Our reporter at 30 April, at 02 : 48 AM Print
Jealously guard your independence: Odinga

THE visiting Kenyan Prime Minister, Raila Odinga paid a courtesy call on President Robert Mugabe and said Zimbabwe is a sovereign state capable of running its internal affairs without outside interference. “Zimbabwe is quite capable of resolving own internal issues without external influence,” said Odinga.

“I am here to strengthen ties between our two countries who have enjoyed cordial relations since the time of the liberation struggle,” said Odinga, who has been a harsh critic of Zanu-PF. The two leaders shared tea at State House.

Odinga delivered a message from Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, and exchanged notes on political and economic developments in the two countries.

“We had a very good meeting with his Excellency (President Mugabe). We basically compared notes about developments in Zimbabwe and Kenya as you know that the two countries have a number of things in common,” said Odinga.

Speaking to journalists after a closed door meeting with President Mugabe, Odinga who was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister, Thokozani Khupe told journalists that he had a “fruitful meeting” with the President as they discussed “the tough trajectories the two countries travelled to dislodge imperialists and how we can jealously guard our independence” as African countries.

He said Zimbabwe and Kenya share a common history adding that among issues discussed was how the two countries can assist each other in dealing with the current constitutional and other reforms.

Asked about his view on the inclusive Government in Zimbabwe, Odinga said: “Zimbabwe is a sovereign state which should make its own decisions not to be dictated to by foreigners.”