We’re confident former liberation movements will triumph
LAST week, from March 17 to 20, we held the hugely successful 11th meeting of Secretary-Generals and Wings of Former Liberation Movements of Southern Africa (FLMSA).
THE secretary-generals of the most formidable and ruling political parties in Southern Africa converged on Victoria Falls to discuss issues pertinent to our continuing struggle.
The secretary-generals in attendance included Cde Fikile Mbalula (ANC, South Africa); Cde Ambassador Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi (Chama Cha Mapinduzi, Tanzania); Cde Roque Silva Samuel (Frelimo, Mozambique); Cde Paulo Pombolo (MPLA, Angola); Cde Sophia Shaningwa (Swapo, Namibia); and Cde Kavis Kairo (BDP, Botswana).
In addition, all heads of wings of these political parties were present at the meeting.
From ZANU PF, several Politburo members graced this occasion, including Cdes Patrick Chinamasa (Treasurer-General), Simbarashe Mumbengegwi (Secretary for External Relations), Judith Ncube (Deputy Secretary for Women’s Affairs) and Ambassador Chris Mutsvangwa (Secretary for Information and
Publicity).
The last such gathering of secretary-generals was at the same location, in September 2019.
Since the last meeting, there has been some remarkable progress, like the completed Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School in Tanzania.
Works on the Museum of African Liberation in Harare have also begun with the assistance of our friends, the Communist Party of China.
Even though it took us a considerable amount of time to meet since 2019, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all the same, the solidarity and revolutionary bonds that tie our sister parties together are unbreakable.
Rightfully, our theme for this year’s meeting was “Unity, collaboration and defence of our liberation gains against neo-colonialism”.
This reinforced the historical fact that we are the parties that were instrumental in ending the subjugation of our people by imperialists and bringing independence to our respective countries. It was a collective effort, and we should always act as a collective.
Unity
Events of the past few years showed that there is an urgent need for the former liberation movements to meet on a regular basis to share experiences. We agreed to constantly meet and chart ways of ensuring that the gains of independence that we all fought for are not lost.
It is no secret that liberation movements in Southern Africa are under siege from our detractors, who wish to sow seeds of division among us. No divisions will succeed, for what binds us is more than what could ever separate us. We will forge ahead with finishing the work of realising the dreams of Pan-Africanism, as espoused by Kwame Nkrumah, as well as using the ideology set forth by Mwalimu Nyerere.
Since there are several elections in our region this year, notably in South Africa, Tanzania, Mozambique and Namibia, we should, as former liberation movements, be wary of the hidden hand of our detractors, which seeks to divide us.
We must remain vigilant and united. Lessons should be drawn from harmonised elections we held here in Zimbabwe in August 2023, where my party, ZANU PF, and His Excellency President Mnangagwa emerged victorious.
It is no secret that after our victory, there were attacks from our fellow brothers here in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), who had been influenced by our detractors. The Mumba Report, disguised as the SADC preliminary elections report, was deliberately engineered to put a dent on our electoral victory. We should be wary of such actions. My party, ZANU PF, and our President and First Secretary, Cde Mnangagwa, resoundingly won the August 2023 harmonised elections.
This matter has been closed.
We are now looking forward to upcoming elections in South Africa, Tanzania, Mozambique and Namibia. We are confident that the ANC, Chama Cha Mapinduzi, Frelimo and Swapo will emerge victorious.
Solidarity
The opposition-aligned and Western-sponsored media has been on a crusade to discredit the great works being done by us for the benefit of our people.
Our detractors from the West have contaminated the world with their holier-than-thou approach and are at the forefront of igniting endless wars as part of their nefarious agenda.
Only those with a true conviction to stand with the truth and a strong moral obligation for justice will make a difference in this world.
South Africa’s triumph at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is indeed a true testament of the fact that those who defend the truth and justice will always prevail.
Be that as it may, Israel has blatantly refused to abide by the ICJ’s judgment and continues with its onslaught on Palestine with impunity.
South Africa should be applauded for her brave act of being Palestine’s advocate in taking Israel’s genocide in Gaza before the ICJ.
This is one of the most selfless acts that we have witnessed in recent history.
The world is not a place for bullies anymore.
In the same vein, we should stand in solidarity with Cuba, Palestine and the people of the Saharawi Republic.
These are our people, and they will never walk alone.
By standing firm together, we are indeed undoing the abominable legacy of imperialism and unringing the bell of colonialism.
Key resolutions
The meeting of the secretaries-general of the former liberation movements (FLMS) reiterated that cooperation anchored in an outright fight against neo-imperialism through economic development and centred diplomacy should be deepened to perpetuate the decolonisation agenda and guarantee longevity of the FLMs.
The FLMs agreed that their governments should harmonise immigration laws to enable free and smooth movement of people, goods and services.
Therefore, going forward, the FLMs will intensify close cooperation on matters of mutual national interest, including, but not limited to, socio-economic, political and security issues. The meeting further underscored the need to ensure value addition of natural resources to be prioritised in all FLMs-led governments.
Further, the meeting implored the FLMs and their respective governments to fight corruption at all levels and in all forms.
The meeting reaffirmed support and solidarity with the people of the Saharawi Republic, Venezuela and Cuba.
We also agreed that illegal sanctions remain a pertinent matter.
It was agreed that the FLMs should continue with the collective call for the immediate and unconditional removal of illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by Western countries and to devise countermeasures against similar potential threats on member states.
Another notable feature during this year’s meeting was the recommendation by the secretaries-general to the Heads of State and Government to admit the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) as a permanent member of the FLMs.
Indeed, no one and no place is being left behind. As we continue forging ahead, there is a need to be vigilant against manifestations of hybrid warfare targeted at removing FLMs-led governments with a view to replacing them with pliable puppets.
The FLMs also made a commitment to remain united against the twin scourges of neo-colonialism and imperialism.
Towards the future
The meeting was successful and progressive. It was pregnant with lively and progressive debates on crucial matters of mutual interest.
It is such meetings that demonstrate that the FLMSA continue to stand firm in strengthening their bond in defence of the gains of liberation.
Of note were our deliberations on the numerous ways through which we, united in our common purpose, can thwart the efforts of our enemies, which, by our unity alone, are rendered insignificant.
This is of utmost importance. Lessons should be drawn from Zimbabwe, which faced several attacks during the August 2023 elections, wherein, amidst all the machinations, the colossal ZANU PF emerged victorious.
Similarly, I wish the ANC, Chama Cha Mapinduzi, Frelimo and Swapo the best of luck in their upcoming elections and assure them that as the FLMs, we are firmly behind them.
ZANU PF will render as much support as possible to these respective parties and ensure victory is attained, as they have always done.
This meeting marked the end of my tenure as chairperson of the FLMs.
It has indeed been an honour to chair this formidable group of revolutionary parties that have not only been liberators of our respective countries but have also been working tirelessly to ensure that our liberation gains are sustained.
It is pleasing to note that the spirit of Nkrumah lives on.
Never will we forget Mwalimu Nyerere’s lessons as we forge ahead with our Pan-Africanist agenda.
We have not abandoned the lessons taught to us by our forebears and the flame which they set alight continues to burn unabated.
The chairmanship of our FLMs has now moved to Cde Mbalula of the African National Congress.