Zimpapers Logo

Innocent Ruwende Senior Reporter
Outgoing Tanzanian Ambassador Lieutenant-General Charles Lawrence Makakala (retired) yesterday bade farewell to President Mnangagwa at his Munhumutapa Offices.

The Tanzanian envoy hailed the efforts being undertaken by the new political dispensation and President Mnangagwa to revamp the country’s economy as well as bringing peace and prosperity to Zimbabwe.

Ambassador Makakala has been in the country since 2015 and will return to Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

“I have wound up my tour of duty as Ambassador of Tanzania to Zimbabwe. I came three years ago to this great country and now that my tour of duty has been accomplished. I am returning to my capital,” he said.

“I came to bid farewell to His Excellency and express our sincere support and cooperation and friendship and fellowship that exist between Tanzania and the great country of Zimbabwe. Indeed, I have conveyed to His Excellency a solidarity message from his brother President Dr Magufuli for what is being done in Zimbabwe.

“His brother has expressed support to Zimbabwe as the country is facing challenges especially economic challenges. We are appreciating the efforts that the Government here is doing especially the new dispensation and in particular President Mnangagwa what he is doing to revamp the economy and to have peace and prosperity for the people of Zimbabwe.”

Ambassador Makakala said he was fortunate that he was able to facilitate the State visit by President Mnangagwa to Tanzania adding that President Magufuli had expressed his intention to accept a reciprocal visit to Zimbabwe.

Ambassador Makakala said they were planning to hold a permanent commission that oversees the two countries’ economic relationship and cooperation in different areas.

“We are planning to hold permanent commission for the two countries and we have an agenda already. We have drafted Memorandum of Understanding for the various areas including cultural, economic, exchange of tourists and a lot of things to which will enable us to become much closer,” he said.

In May this year, President Magufuli invited President Mnangagwa for a State visit to his country after commending Zimbabwe for the unparalleled peaceful transition that took place in the country.

In June, President Mnangagwa went on a two-day State visit to Tanzania which got its independence from Britain on December 9, 1961 and part of the Frontline States describing it as a midwife of the liberation movements on the continent.