Zimbabwe’s Vice President Kembo Mohadi has returned home after a successful three-day visit to Malawi, where he met with President Lazarus Chakwera and other officials to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation.
A fruitful visit
VP Mohadi arrived in Lilongwe on Tuesday and was welcomed by Malawi’s Deputy Minister of Health Halima Daud and Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Malawi Dr Nancy Saungweme. He also received a guard of honor from the Malawi Defense Force.
On Wednesday, he paid a courtesy call to President Chakwera at the State House, where they discussed various issues of mutual interest, such as trade, investment, agriculture, energy, tourism, and regional integration.
VP Mohadi said he was impressed by President Chakwera’s vision and leadership, and expressed Zimbabwe’s readiness to work with Malawi in advancing the development agenda of the two countries and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
He also invited President Chakwera to visit Zimbabwe in April, saying it would be an opportunity to deepen the friendship and partnership between the two nations.
A learning experience
On Thursday, VP Mohadi visited Mtalimanja Holdings in Dowa, a private company that specializes in fish farming, irrigation, and agro-processing. He said he was amazed by the innovative and sustainable practices of the company, and hoped to replicate them in Zimbabwe.
VP Mohadi said Zimbabwe had a lot to learn from Malawi in terms of fisheries, as the sector had great potential to contribute to food security, income generation, and poverty reduction.
He also praised Malawi for its successful handling of the 2020 presidential election, which saw President Chakwera emerge as the winner after a court-ordered rerun.
VP Mohadi said Zimbabwe was inspired by Malawi’s democratic maturity and peaceful transition, and hoped to emulate it in its own electoral reforms.
A solidarity gesture
VP Mohadi also met with African ambassadors based in Malawi and the Zimbabwean diaspora community. He thanked them for their support and solidarity during Zimbabwe’s challenging times, and urged them to continue promoting the interests and image of Zimbabwe in Malawi and beyond.
VP Mohadi said Zimbabwe was on a path of recovery and transformation, and welcomed the contributions and investments of its friends and partners.
He also assured them that Zimbabwe was committed to upholding the rule of law, human rights, and good governance, as well as fighting corruption and fostering national unity.
VP Mohadi said Zimbabwe was open for business and ready to engage with the international community on the basis of mutual respect and equality.
VP Mohadi and his delegation, which included senior government officials, left Malawi on Friday morning. He said he was satisfied with the outcomes of his visit, and looked forward to more fruitful exchanges and collaborations with Malawi in the future.
A lasting friendship
Zimbabwe and Malawi share a long history of friendship and cooperation, dating back to the colonial era when they were part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
The two countries are also members of the SADC and the African Union, and have signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding on various areas of cooperation.
The visit by VP Mohadi was the first high-level engagement between the two countries since President Chakwera took office in June 2020.
It was also a sign of the renewed commitment and goodwill between the two countries, as they seek to enhance their bilateral relations and pursue their common interests in the region and the continent.
Source: The HeraldÂ
