Diplomats on ZDF

of them have excelled in a marvellous way,” he said. “I commend that. Peace and development go hand in hand, I congratulate the ZDF.”

Angolan ambassador to Zimbabwe Pedro Hendrik Vaal Neto saluted the ZDF for the role they have been playing, not only in Zimbabwe, but also in the region. “I wish that they better their duties in favour of the region and Africa as a whole,” he said. “I congratulate the ZDF for they have been playing a major role in Sadc. They still have a role to play in Sadc.”

Indonesia ambassador to Zimbabwe, Stephanus Yuwono, congratulated ZDF, Zimbabwe and President Mnangagwa.

“We congratulate the ZDF and the President of Zimbabwe on this important day,” he said.

Palestinian Embassy first secretary Mr Mana Alagha said Palestinians were joining Zimbabweans in celebrating the contributions made by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to peace and development.

“We congratulate Zimbabweans on electing a new President,” he said. “We hope Zimbabwe continues to develop and continue to assist other countries. I hope everything goes well for Zimbabwe.”

Malayisa Charge d’ Affaires to Zimbabwe and Comoros saluted the defence forces for their sterling work in ensuring the development of the country and people.

“It’s time to translate this show of unity into efforts for the betterment of the country and for the people,” he said. “Most of the defence forces have sacrificed their lives to defend the country and ensure peace.”

Apart from peace keeping activities, the ZDF have also assisted many communities countrywide through developmental projects.

On the international scene, the ZDF continue to deploy officers to regional and international peace support operations under the auspices of the Sadc, African Union and United Nations.

At the regional level, members of the ZDF are participating in regional training exercises and other military exchange programmes, as part of their commitment to the operationalisation of the Sadc Standby Force. THE MDC Alliance invited sanctions on the country in an act of political expediency resulting in the United States passing the amended Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Amendment Act (ZIDERA), Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo said.

Last Thursday, US President Donald Trump signed the ZIDERA act of 2018(S2779) into law effectively extending US sanctions.

This was after MDC Alliance leaders Nelson Chamisa and Tendai Biti engaged different officials in the US Congress late last year to extend the sanctions.

Dr Moyo said political contestation must never suppress national interests. “Politics in a country should not lead to the suffering of the masses. The MDC Alliance does not understand this as their political contestation is suppressing national interests,” he said.

“The sanctions are for the benefit of the MDC Alliance not for the ordinary person suffering in the streets. If people suffer because of you then you are not a leader.”

Dr Moyo noted that most Zimbabweans voted for President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Zanu-PF in a free