Harare, (New Ziana) -President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called for an immediate ceasefire and the pursuit of dialogue between the warring parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to ensure sustainable peace and stability in the region.
He said this at the new year reception that held for heads of diplomatic missions and international organisations accredited to Zimbabwe at State House on Friday. “On the peace and security challenges in our region, particularly in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, is playing its part through SADC (Southern African Development Community), and East African Community initiatives, to find lasting peace in eastern DRC. We continue to call for an immediate ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities as well as the pursuit of dialogue, as a panacea for sustainable peace and stability in the region,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said at the broader international level, Zimbabwe is committed to the protection of multilateralism and upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter, adding that the principles of equality and respect for each other’s interests should always guide countries in their interactions.
He expressed gratitude for the endorsement of Zimbabwe’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the term 2027 to 2028 by SADC and the African Union, saying its candidacy is deeply rooted in the country’s commitment to global peace and security, an inclusive, fair and equitable international rule-based system.
“Zimbabwe appeals for the invaluable support of your respective Governments in this quest, confident that we will serve with dedication, integrity, and a resolute commitment to a more peaceful, just and secure world,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe stands ready to draw lessons from the different jurisdictions represented by the heads of missions towards bettering the lives of its people and accelerating socio-economic prosperity of their countries. He said in that vein, Zimbabwe has since set out a national vision to become an Empowered and Prosperous Upper Middle-Income Society by 2030.
This has seen various political, economic and legislative reforms being made as well as a broad array of people-centered projects being implemented to guarantee household food security, improving incomes and development of critical enablers to propel the modernisation and industrialisation of the economy, he said.
“The illegal economic sanctions, coupled with prevalence of climate change induced natural disasters and weather phenomenon, are negatively impacting our economy. However, domestic resource mobilization, Diaspora remittances and inflows of Foreign Direct Investments are augmenting the national fiscus.
“Our people and the economy, are demonstrating extra-ordinary resilience, unity of purpose, innovation and resourcefulness. The projected recovery in agriculture output is expected to drive economic growth to 6 percent, buoyed by the expected bumper harvest, following a successful summer season,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the Government is implementing a raft of measures to improve the livelihoods of people among them the introduction of Village Business Units and Nutritional Gardens concept, while 35 000 boreholes in the 35 000 villages will be drilled across the country.
He called on foreign missions based in the country to partner these initiatives through training, capacity building, value addition and sourcing of export markets, as the country seeks to promote market driven productivity.
Turning to agriculture, President Mnangagwa said under the Agriculture Transformation Strategy and the Village Business Unit concept, Zimbabwe envisions improved incomes and higher standards of living for its grassroots communities, and to also contribute to global food security and nutrition.
“The growth of the agriculture sector, as the bedrock of our agriculture-based industry, entails the need for retooling, expansion and diversification of our manufacturing sector.
I challenge you, Your Excellencies, in your respective Missions, to promote investments along related value chains. Zimbabwe is a friend to all and an enemy to none,” he said.
President Mnangagwa extended gratitude to the SADC and African Union community for their principled support and solidarity, as they amplify calls for the lifting of sanctions imposed on the country by the West.
He also recognised the support the country is receiving from the Group of Friends in Defence of the United Nations Charter, the Like-Minded Group and Non-Aligned Movement.
“Meanwhile, my Government looks forward to positive outcomes of engagements with the international community under the Arrears Clearance and Debt Resolution Process. “
The humanitarian aid, technical expertise and moral support received last year, from some of your countries and organisations, following my declaration of the El-Nino induced drought as a national disaster, was timely and greatly appreciated.
These acts of kindness remind us of the power of unity in overcoming challenges,” he said.
New Ziana
