President Mugabe arrived here yesterday to attend a meeting of liberation movements that seeks to find ways of offsetting resurgent neo-colonialism in Africa.

The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces was met at Julius Nyerere International Airport by the country’s ambassador to Dar-es-Salaam Edzai Chimonyo and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara.

DPM Mutambara is here to attend the World Economic Forum on Africa.

Soon after his arrival, President Mugabe held closed-door talks with his Tanzanian counterpart, President Jakaya Kikwete.

The meeting of liberation movements begins today.

Countries that have confirmed their participation in addition to Zimbabwe and the hosts are Angola, South Africa and Namibia.

The meeting starts with a session incorporating secretaries-general of the movements, in which Zimbabwe will be represented by Zanu-PF secretary for administration Cde Didymus Mutasa.

After that, presidents and leaders of the movements will go into session.

Insiders said the meeting had been long in coming and would focus on how the liberation movements could co-ordinate activities for Africa’s development.

“The last such meeting was in Sandton in South Africa back in 2000.

“At that time, it was already apparent that neo-colonialists were finding inroads with which to subvert Africa’s development.

“The idea here is to come up with ways of countering that subversion and developing our peoples.

“We want to keep the ideals of the liberation movements alive and to ensure they result in tangible benefits to the people of Africa,” one insider said.

President Mugabe is accompanied by ministers

Webster Shamu (Media, Information and Publicity), Emmerson Mnangagwa (Defence), Saviour Kasukuwere (Youth Development, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment) and other senior Government officials.

President Mugabe was seen off at Harare International Airport by Vice President John Nkomo (who is Acting President), senior Government officials, and service chiefs.

Meanwhile, DPM Mutambara is here to attend the 20th World Economic Forum on Africa.

Zimbabwe will use the meeting to outline to the world the devastating impact of the illegal Western economic sanctions.

Insiders yesterday revealed that the Zimbabwe delegation will use the platform to present to major global economic players the vast business opportunities Zimbabwe has in the mining, agriculture, infrastructure development and manufacturing sectors.

“There will be over 1 000 participants drawn from multilateral financial institutions and United Nations agencies and this is an ideal platform for Zimbabwe to present its case on the issue of sanctions and the country’s investment potential,” an insider said.

Last Thursday, the WEF said 11 African heads of state and government would attend the event to be opened by host President Kikwete.

The forum is being held under the theme “Rethinking Africa’s Growth Strategy”.

The 20th WEF on Africa draws political, business and civic leaders from Africa, Asia and Europe to deliberate on issues affecting the continent.

In a statement, President Kikwete said: “Africa is a continent full of potential.

“Africa has been growing despite the economic instability that is facing the world today.

“We will have the opportunity to examine the strategy of Africa for today to ensure that there is a better tomorrow.”

WEF for Africa director Ms Katherine Tweedie said this year’s forum coincided with the 50th anniversary of the launch of the continent’s struggle for independence.

“It is fitting to celebrate this milestone year by hosting the Africa meeting for the first time in East Africa, with the strong support of His Excellency President Kikwete and the government and business community of Tanzania,” she said.

The Forum’s Young Global Leaders Summit will be held concurrently in Dar es Salaam with over 200 participants.

Discussions will address how Africa is managing relations with key economic partners and South-South co-operation.

(Source)