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Tendai Rupapa Senior Reporter
The United Nations resident coordinator and UNDP resident representative in Zimbabwe, Mr Bishow Parajuli, has hailed the new dispensation led by President Mnangagwa for creating a conducive environment for citizens to improve their lives.

Speaking at the sidelines of the International Day of Peace commemorations in Harare yesterday, Mr Parajuli, said the new dispensation should be commended for maintaining peace in the country, which he said would attract investors.

“The country’s economy has been bad during the past decades and the situation had deteriorated, but with the new dispensation, efforts are being made to improve the situation,” he said.

“Hopefully with the various changes being made in policies, there will be big element of attraction of investors, private sectors and improvement of people’s lives.

“Zimbabwe is a peaceful country and everyone should play a role in maintaining peace.”

Mr Parajuli said though there were certain areas of concern like gender-based violence, which needed to be addressed, President Mnangagwa’s Government was making efforts to reach out to communities with basic needs.

Speaking at the same occasion, the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) chairperson Retired Justice Selo Masole Nare said peace was a human right enhanced in the universal declaration of human rights.

He encouraged people to observe peace, which he said guaranteed industrial and national development.

“Peace is synonymous with development. Peace reinforces conditions for development and liberates the resources needed for societies to develop and prosper,” he said.

“All nations and people should respect and honour this important day every year. As a Commission we encourage you to observe peace, we should all preach the message of peace.”

“The elections were peaceful, but we did not know what was on the minds of other people. When we wanted to sit back and relax, something happened and that spoiled our peace.

“The violence that took place on August 1 following the harmonised elections spoiled the peace which was prevailing in our country. People should stop conflicts because peace begins with me, peace begins with you and peace begins with all.”

The International Day of Peace is a United Nations sanctioned day observed annually on 21 September.

The UN General Assembly declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations.

This year’s commemorations were held under the theme, “The Right to Peace — The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 70”

The theme celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.