Summit For Southern African Liberation Movements Begins in Dar es Salaam

Presidents Jacob Zuma of the Republic of South Africa and Robert Mugabe of the Republic of Zimbabwe. The two Southern African leaders are working to stabilize and develop the political economy of the sub-continent.
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Summit for liberation movements begins

Herald Reporter

Six liberation movements from the Sadc region began a summit in the Tanzanian capital Dar es Salaam yesterday to exchange views on political, social and economic challenges facing their countries.

The summit opened with a meeting of secretaries-general of the six parties — Zanu-PF of Zimbabwe, ANC of South Africa, Swapo of Namibia, Frelimo of Mozambique, MPLA of Angola and Chama Cha Mapinduzi of Tanzania.

The secretaries-general were laying the groundwork for their leaders who are expected to meet today.

Zanu-PF secretary for administration Cde Didymus Mutasa represented the party.

President Mugabe — who is leading the Zanu-PF delegation to the summit — will join the other five party heads at today’s meeting.

"The meeting provides an opportunity to renew the ties of comradeship and solidarity that were forged between these movements during the struggle against colonial rule and apartheid," the ANC said in a statement.

"The people of South Africa owe a debt of gratitude to these parties who provided material and political support during the liberation struggle," the party added.

The meeting provides an opportunity for the parties to exchange views and experiences about the challenges of economic and social development in their respective countries, the ANC said.

The ANC added: "It will also focus on the challenges facing former liberation movements following the achievement of independence and democratic rule and look at how the parties can co-operate to build and strengthen their respective organisations.