Masisi commends President Mnangagwa for embracing opposition parties

Maun (New Ziana) – Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi on Thursday commended his Zimbabwe counterpart, President Emmerson Mnangagwa for opening a permanent channel for dialogue with opposition parties, saying this was important in nation building.
After winning the 2018 general election, President Mnangagwa set up the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad), a dialogue platform to allow all parties that took part in the poll to contribute ideas to nation-building, and also to heal election-related animosities.
Nineteen of the 23 political parties that contested the election, including the victor Zanu-PF, joined Polad and have made important contributions to various issues facing the country.
In light of the successes scored by Polad, President Masisi said Polad ensured inclusivity and commended the achievements it had so far achieved.
“Allow me Your Excellency to take this opportunity to applaud you and your government and indeed express our support for the comprehensive initiatives that you have put in place to address the socio-economic challenges in Zimbabwe, these include the drive towards political stability by engaging the opposition in a national dialogue,” he said at a welcome reception for President Mnangagwa who is in Maun, Botswana for the second session of the Bi-National Commission between the two countries.
President Masisi said on top of national dialogue, another key ingredient to Zimbabwe’s economic recovery efforts was the removal of illegal sanctions imposed on Harare by western countries.
The European Union and the United States imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe two decades ago to force the government to re-think its land reform policy.
The land reforms involved compulsory acquisition of excess farmland from white farmers to resettle landless peasants.
The sanctions are estimated to have cost the economy nearly US$100 billion.
President Masisi reiterated Botswana’s unwavering support for the Sadc position on the lifting of all sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, highlighting that the embargo continued to stifle the economic and political prospects of the whole region.
“Specifically, Botswana strongly appeals for the repeal of the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act and the targeted sanctions programme imposed on Zimbabwe by the United States of America, we do so fully cognisant of the debilitating impact of the sanctions on Zimbabwe’s economy and citizens and undoubtedly the economies of neighbouring countries such as Botswana.
“The effects of sanctions are far-reaching, they do not only deny Zimbabweans the dignity and pride that transcends from a healthy economy, but also erodes investor confidence which is essential for the country’s economy to flourish.”
The Batswana leader added; “And I in my own ways often wonder how we can commit to the SDGs while denying Zimbabwe and its children and people a fighting chance to realise their SDGs. As a neighbouring country, Botswana looks forward to Zimbabwe’s economic recovery. This will be a boon for Botswana and the entire region because of the linkages between our economies.”
Last week, the African Union voiced its concern over Zimbabwe’s ability to fulfil international obligations such as the UN SDGs faced with crippling sanctions.
SDGs were adopted by all United Nations member states in 2015 and provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet.
The 17 SDGs are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership.
They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.
Meanwhile, Masisi said the BNC provided a platform to look back on the road travelled thus far and reflect on challenges to further improve the relationship between the two countries.
He said the private sector remained a vital component in the development of sustainable socio-economic programmes and projects in the two Southern African countries and beyond.
“Our friendship and cooperation is not only for our two countries, it will also give significant impetus to regional and continental development and to the integration agendas.
“In this regard it is of the utmost importance that we should re-commit ourselves towards the speedy conclusion of projects such as the Ponta Techobanine and the Kazungula Bridge linking Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. This vital trade corridor, this Techobanine project is expected to unlock the economic potential between Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique; it will also lead towards greater regional integration,” he said.
New Ziana