Harare, (New Ziana) –The Zimbabwe government on Thursday adopted the Memoranda of Understanding with Rwanda and South Africa on Cooperation in the Field of Youth Affairs.
Media, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere told a post Cabinet media briefing that the adoption followed a presentation by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi in his capacity as chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.
“The three countries desire to cooperate in the mutual development of young people through existing bilateral arrangements with the areas of co-operation including life skills training and capacity development,” said Muswere.
He said other areas of cooperation include entrepreneurship development, agriculture, agro-processing, and manufacturing, market development, technology development and transfer, skills development and re-integration program for youths in conflict with the law.
Also tourism business development, health promotion as well as transformation and empowerment programs are some of the areas of cooperation, he said.
“The objectives of the cooperation include raising the standard of living for youths and disadvantaged communities, thus reducing poverty; promoting and facilitating life skills training and capacity building for youths for sustainable nation building; promoting rural development based on youth in agriculture; and reducing criminal activities committed by youths, while creating peace and crime-free countries,” he explained.
Muswere said Cabinet also considered and approved the proposal for Ratification of the SADC Inter-State Protocol on the Transfer of Sentenced Offenders also as presented Ziyambi.
“On 18 August 2019, His Excellency the President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed the SADC Inter-State Protocol on the transfer of sentenced offenders,” he said.
He said the objective of the Protocol is to facilitate the transfer of sentenced offenders from foreign territories they would be serving prison sentences, to enable them to serve the remaining sentences in their home countries.
“In terms of the Protocol the transfer of sentenced offenders may take place upon request and with the consent of the sentencing and the administering States,” he said.
Muswere said ratification of the Protocol demonstrates Zimbabwe’s commitment to international cooperation and adherence to global norms and also strengthens its diplomatic relations with other SADC member countries.
New Ziana
