ED takes message of tolerance to the United States
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa and his carefully selected team of technocrats hit the ground running as soon as they landed in New York for the United Nations General Assembly 73rd Session. Interviews were already lined up as media houses jostled for an opportunity to interview the man of the moment, President Mnangagwa. Investors and foreign dignitaries alike were also lined up for that golden moment to host the President of the Second Republic of Zimbabwe ahead of his maiden address at the UNGA.
The spotlight on Zimbabwe is more intense than usual at the UNGA as potential investors and other Heads of State are earmarking Zimbabwe as their new investment destination. Eager to know and to address issues of concern, Bloomsberg TV and Cable News Network’s Christiane Amanpour were the first to get an interview with President Mnangagwa and for the first time “Iron Lady” Amanpour was smiling and nodding in agreement throughout the interview.
President Mnangagwa touched on very pertinent issues that sought to address every concern that the rest of the world might be harbouring on Zimbabwe. Addressing Amanpour’s question on the credibility of the elections, President Mnangagwa indicated that the country conducted its elections under a democratic political space that allowed 133 political parties to exercise their political rights to participate in an election. He reiterated that his party Zanu-PF called for a free, fair and peaceful campaign and urged its supporters to develop a culture of acceptance to opposing views.
President Mnangagwa acknowledged that the skirmishes that occurred on August 1, 2018 were indeed regrettable, hence his urgency in appointing a Commission of Inquiry to carry out the investigations and bring the perpetrators to book. The reason for engaging a Commission of Inquiry comprising of different nationalities and other notable people from Zimbabwe, being the need for transparency as according to President Mnangagwa, the country could not institute an investigation on itself.
Asked whether his Government would recognise the leader of the opposition, President Mnangagwa agreed that his Government was already embracing the Commonwealth Parliamentary Democracy, where they obviously recognise the leader of the opposition. He said he is very optimistic and looks forward to an opposition that will move away from unconstructive behaviour and participate meaningfully to the rebuilding of our nation through their input in Parliament. He accentuated that he hoped the opposition’s input will cause some checks and balances that will help his Government in delivering positively to the people of Zimbabwe.
Moving forward in Zimbabwe’s engagement and re-engagement drive, President Mnangagwa indicated that his Government is putting forward policies aimed at improving investor confidence. So far a new Cabinet that consists of experts, technocrats, women and the youths has already been sworn-in and is already hard at work. The Cabinet has a quorum of some of the best brains in the country, people who are passionate about their work and who know what they are doing. The Anti-Corruption Commission has also been strengthened with a desire to deal with corruption. This will in turn contribute to the ease of doing business and it will make investing in Zimbabwe so much affordable as all forms of corruption will be seriously dealt with.
Speaking on his term of service, President Mnangagwa said that he intends to entrench constitutionalism, so when his two terms are over, he will gladly leave office for the next elected Head of State. In conclusion, His Excellency addressed the issue of the Matabeleland disturbances in the mid-eighties, by stating that he has already commissioned a Peace and Reconciliation Commission eight months ago to look into the issue. Asked whether he would apologise to the people of Matabeleland if the need arose, the President agreed that it would be the best thing to do.
After the President finished his interview with CNN and Bloomsberg TV, Professor Mthuli Ncube immediately was called to address a few issues concerning the state of the economy in Zimbabwe. It was such an opportunity for people to see and hear that Prof Ncube was well versed in his field of finance.
He quickly mentioned the need for Zimbabwe to work on its fiscal consolidation on the revenue part, making mention that every nation needed a stable currency and with the vast minerals that Zimbabwe has and with proper management the country can rise from the economic doldrums.
He indicated that global prices for minerals such as nickel, platinum and chrome have held up which is positive in terms of planning forward. Prof Ncube also added that there is need for Zimbabwe to build its gold reserves in order to issue a stable currency when the time comes.
Prof Mthuli Ncube dismissed claims that China is taking over Africa, saying that each country has a prerogative to negotiate for deals wisely in a way that protects its people and nation.
He further added that Zimbabwe is not only open for business to China alone, but with any other country that is willing to work with Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, rapport and re-engagement has already been established between Zimbabwe and the international community with countries such as Britain, Germany, France, Belgium, India, the United States and China having expressed a willingness to work with Zimbabwe.