Mnangagwa condemns warmonger superpowers

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has condemned the use of underhand tactics by some superpowers who clandestinely fund conflicts in Africa under the guise of advancing democracy in the continent.

The President raised the concerns during his attendance at the Kusi Ideas Festival Summit in Botswana last Thursday, which was aimed at establishing a Pan-African marketplace for exchanging ideas, seizing opportunities and fostering innovations that catalyse and propel Africa's development on the 21st century global stage.

In a post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said the President attended the Summit and discussed food security and peace issues in the continent.

"Regarding peace and security in Africa, His Excellency the President condemned underhand tactics by some powerful countries that purport to enhance peace, human rights and democracy aspirations while clandestinely funding conflicts and unconstitutional changes of government, for their own self-interest," said Dr Muswere.

"He also condemned the use of unilateral and illegal sanctions as a foreign policy tool by some states, to coerce and enforce their will over sovereign states, including Zimbabwe and Cuba."

During the summit, Presidents Mnangagwa and Masisi also agreed on modalities of scrapping passports when citizens from either side of the border visit, and use IDs as part of the broader African integration. The Presidents have instructed officials from both sides to work on modalities to operationalise the historic agreement.

Dr Muswere said President Mnangagwa also spoke of the need for the continent to be food secure considering its fertile lands.

"In his intervention during the deliberations of the Presidential Roundtable entitled: The Journey to 2063: Presidential Perspectives, His Excellency, the President observed that Africa had the world's most arable and fertile lands and the onus was on its people to derive maximum benefit from exploring the resource," said Dr Muswere.

He said President Mnangagwa gave an overview of the measures that the Government has deployed to enhance food security.

He said Cabinet also amended the agreement between Zimbabwe and South Africa on the supply of treated water from Beitbridge Water Treatment Works in Zimbabwe to Musina Town.

Dr Muswere said Skills Audit and Development Minister Professor Paul Mavima, as Acting Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister presented the proposed amendments that will see Zimbabwe exporting water to the neighbouring Musina.

"The Agreement will facilitate the transfer of treated water from Beitbridge Water Treatment Works in the Republic of Zimbabwe to Musina Town in the Republic of South Africa at agreed terms and conditions and provide a framework for any such arrangements among the designated Competent Authorities," said Dr Muswere.

He said the benefits of this agreement include improved water resources co-operation and governance and generation of foreign currency from South Africa.

Dr Muswere said the move will strengthen relations and co-operation between the neighbouring countries while improving water management along the Limpopo River.

"(There will be) improved management of water treatment, water supply and sanitation systems in Beitbridge Town due to foreign currency income and equitable and reasonable utilisation of transboundary water resources," said Dr Muswere.

He said Cabinet also approved the establishment of the Limpopo Watercourse Commission with South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique, which will create a Council of Ministers on the management of water bodies.