African Union hails Zimbabwe peaceful transition

January 29, 2018
| Report Focus News

The 30th AU Summit has ended in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with the Zimbabwe delegation pleased that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had an opportunity to brief member states of the Pan-African bloc of developments that occurred in Zimbabwe in November last year.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retired Lieutenant General Sibusiso Moyo said the Commissioner for Peace and Security commended Zimbabwe for having very strong institutions that enabled a smooth transition.

“This Assembly took place at the genesis of the life of a country called Zimbabwe in its new dispensation. So His Excellency, the President took this opportunity to brief his counterparts in the AU on the developments of a peaceful transition that took place in Zimbabwe over the last 3 months. He also assured the member states that the icon leader, former president [Robert Mugabe] is safe and that his legacy is preserved,” he said.

The Minister added that Zimbabwe was congratulated for being equal to task to its internal challenges.

“Member states congratulated Zimbabwe for particularly undertaking a very peaceful transition, identify its own problems and owning its own solutions. It was also clear from the President’s speech that the focus now for the new administration is economic development for the emancipation of the people of Zimbabwe,” Retired Lieutenant General Sibusiso Moyo said.

President Mnangagwa yesterday made a maiden appearance at the AU Summit since taking office in Zimbabwe late last November.

At the summit, Zimbabwe and five other countries, received awards from an organisation called African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) for their achievements in reducing Malaria deaths.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame is the new AU Chairperson and has been tasked with implementing agreed reforms to the continental body.