By Martin Chiwanda in Tete, Mozambique
President Lazarus Chakwera and his Mozambican counterpart, Filipe Nyusi has highlighted the need to maintain political and diplomatic consultations between the two countries aiming at finding lasting solutions on issues affecting the two countries.
This was discussed during President Chakwera’s long day visit to Songo in Tete Province in Mozambique on Tuesday after the two heads of state, met privately before co-chairing a high level bilateral engagement meeting between delegations from the two countries.
Nyusi and Chakwera in Tete
In a joint communiqué, the two Presidents have agreed work together in trying to create additional infrastructure along the development corridors with the aim of improving mobility of people and goods by prioritizing Malawi connection to the Sena rail line through Vila Nova de Fronteira de Marka.
“We are very willing to supply energy to Malawi through the already existing projects such as the construction works for the 400KV electricity transmission line for Mozambique and Malawi interconnection connecting Matambo Substation in Tete Mozambique and Phombeya in Malawi,” President Nyusi said after the bilateral talks with President Chakwera.
The two governments expressed satisfaction in the communiqué with the process of reaffirming of the common border that is taking place in accordance with the plan agreed between the technical teams of the two countries.
Nyusi addressing the gathering
“There is a need to raise awareness among border communities in order to preserve the landmarks and avoid construction of new infrastrures on the affirmed borders as a way of ensuring peaceful co-existence among the local communities in the two countries.”
Addressing the high level delegation after the private meeting with his counterpart, President Chakwera said the two countries share common social statuses which need to be respected.
“Malawians and Mozambicans are all the same despite sharing the borders. We are all brothers and sisters,” he said.
During the visit with his Mozambican counterpart, President Chakwera appreciated Cahora Bassa hydro power dam where a Malawi–Mozambique transmission line is being constructed under the Malawi-Mozambique interconnector project.
The Malawi leader was companied by Ministers of Transport and Public Works Sidik Mia; Trade and Industry Sosten Gwengwe; Homeland Security Richard Chimwendo Banda; Energy Newton Kambala and Mining Rashid Gaffar.
Before leaving for Mozambique, President Chakwera stressed the need for deepening relations with neighbouring countries sharing similar back grounds and history.
He reiterated his commitment to revamp diplomatic ties with other countries as one way of ensuring economic cooperation.
“We are linked to Mozambique historically, geographically and culturally, it’s time for us to renew our relationships and build them to a stronger bond.
“We are so related in terms of trade, transport and transit of our goods through their country, it is more so needed that we have discussions and build a relationship that is beneficial to both states,” Chakwera stated.
This is President Chakwera’s third official foreign trip after visiting Zambia and Zimbabwe since he took office in June, 2020.—Additional reporting by Lily Kampani, MANA
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