By JOWIT SALUSEKI –
VISITING presidential candidate for Mozambique’s ruling Frelimo party in that country’s October general elections, Filipe Nyusi, has hailed the existing cordial relations between Zambia and Mozambique.
Speaking when he called on Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba at his office in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Nyusi, the current Defence Minister, said once voted as president, his vision would be to further the ties between the two neighbouring countries.
Mr Nyusi said the visits that his entourage had embarked on in different Southern African countries were meant to strengthen economic and political ties with Mozambique’s neighbouring countries.
The delegation has so far visited Angola, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, meeting government leaders in the Southern African region.
“Our visits are symbolic because we understand the importance of the countries in the region,” Mr Nyusi said. “The visits will help us develop the economic side of our political strength and build on what we have achieved together as a region. We also hope to visit Dr Kenneth Kaunda so that we get some inspiration from him.”
Mr Nyusi said he would continue to put democracy on top of his agenda to strengthen the tenets of good governance once he scooped the presidential seat during the October 15, 2014 polls.
He said his country had a lot to learn from Zambia’s democracy and cultural values.
Mr Nyusi said during the struggle for his country’s liberation some civil society organisations from Mozambique had the mission to tell the people what used to happen in Zambia and Tanzania when the two countries fought for their independence.
“More than 600 people were killed during the liberation struggle in the town where I come from. Consequently, most of those who survived the massacre migrated to Tanzania, including my parents,” he said.
Mr Kabimba, who is Patriotic Front secretary general, hailed Mr Nyusi’s visit which came a few days after that of former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano.
“Your visit to Zambia, which has a long relationship with Mozambique, comes two days after former president Chissano was in the country,” Mr Kabimba said. “President Chissano said a lot of things on how both countries are indebted to each other.”
Mr Nyusi, 56, a mechanical engineer by profession, was nominated in March to stand on the ruling Frelimo party ticket after beating four other candidates.