By Senior News Analyst
Malawi President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has said that Malawi and Mozambique share notable similarities in the fight for independence with the two countries being among those who led the political struggle that set the African continent free from colonialism.
President Chakwera said because of such common historical background between the two countries it was only prudent that the two countries unite, not only in social-economic development, but also in honouring their respective heroes.
President Chakwera and the First Lady Madam Monica Chakwera today visited the Mozambian Heroes Acre Monument in Maputo, where they paid homage to the “fallen brave sons and daughters” of Mozambique who played an indelible role in the struggle for the country’s self-rule.
“The visit evoked familiar memories because Malawi and Mozambique share notable similarities in the fight for independence. We therefore unite in honouring our heroes. They led the political struggle that set the continent free from colonialism,” said Chakwera after laying a wreath at the Heroes Acre.
Chakwera is in Mozambique on a four-day State Visit whose main aim is to solidify the relationship between the two countries and seek ways of how the two neighbours can work together in a number of areas including trade, transport, energy and mining that could have mutual benefits. The visit has been described as historic considering the tension that has been prevalent between the two neighbours.
Malawi and Mozambique have had a bad relationship following an embarrassing stand-off during the time of President Bingu Wa Mutharika when Malawi was trying to find a direct route to the Indian Ocean through the Shire-Zambezi Waterway Project. The project failed to take off after Malawi throw away all diplomatic protocols and cooperation etiquette and side lined its critical partner, Mozambique in the project.
Before the visit to the Heroes Acre, President Chakwera also had one-on-one deliberations with President Nyusi focusing on a range of issues of interest and later led talks involving the delegates of the two countries where a commitment was made for immediate actions on all the issues agreed.
“The discussions centred around how the two countries should fortify cooperation in areas of trade, security, transport, energy and diplomacy. Both sides have agreed to continue collaborating to fully harness opportunities and address existing bottlenecks for the betterment of our people,” said President Chakwera after the two meetings.
During the State Visit, the President on Thursday launched the Malawi-Mozambique Interconnector Transmission line and had a tour of the Nacala Port which vital for realisation of the full operational potential of the Nacala Corridor.