The governments of Zimbabwe and Mozambique have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation between the provinces of Manica and Manicaland, pledging to consolidate a decades-long partnership that continues to generate social and economic benefits for the citizens of both countries.
According to a report by the Club of Mozambique, the commitment was made by Zimbabwe’s Minister of State for Manicaland Province, Misheck Mugadza, and Mozambique’s Secretary of State for Manica Province, Lourenço Lindonde.
In his remarks, the Mozambican official highlighted the strategic importance of the two regions, emphasizing that Manica functions as a gateway and corridor of solidarity, serving as a logistics hub connecting Zimbabwe to the Indian Ocean.
“The province of Manica, due to its strategic location, plays a vital role in the development of our provinces. Our heads of state have shown us, through bilateral meetings and agreements, that unity is the only path to prosperity,” he stated.
Lourenço Lindonde added that the maintenance of peace and stability has allowed trade between the two countries to flourish, as citizens from both regions interact freely.
“As neighbors, we must continue to work together to ensure security, combat transnational threats, and promote regional integration, as envisioned by our leaders. To our fellow Mozambican citizens, especially those living along the borders of Manica and Manicaland, we remind you of the historic responsibility we bear; it is up to us to protect this special relationship and pass it on to future generations,” he stated.
For his part, the Zimbabwean leader noted that the two nations are deepening their economic ties for mutual benefit. “From an economic standpoint, there is a great deal of shared interest. We have already held several investment conferences in Beira and Chimoio, and soon we will have a unified border post that is currently being modernized.”
Last year, the governments of Mozambique and Zimbabwe signed three memorandums of understanding for cooperation in social and economic areas, with a focus on women’s development and the promotion of cooperatives.
The documents, signed by the ministers of both countries, addressed women’s development and gender issues, cooperation in the field of youth, and cooperation to promote the development of cooperatives and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.
The ceremony, witnessed by the presidents of both nations, took place on the second day of Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s state visit to Mozambique.
The signing of the three memoranda was preceded by a meeting between the President of the Republic, Daniel Chapo, and his Zimbabwean counterpart, followed by a meeting with their respective delegations to discuss international legal instruments between Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
