Zimbabwe and Angola have strengthened their longstanding defence and security relations with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation in Harare.
The agreement seeks to deepen bilateral military cooperation while reinforcing the two countries’ commitment to regional and continental peace and security.
Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said the MoU builds on historic ties forged during the liberation struggle, when the MPLA, ZAPU and ZANU fought against Portuguese and British colonial rule.
“Our collective desire to re-assert our dignity, sovereignty and self-determination saw us jointly enduring relentless onslaughts by the Rhodesian settler and the South African apartheid regimes,” she said.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said Angola played a significant role in supporting Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle after attaining independence in 1975 by providing training bases for ZIPRA forces.
“We extend our utmost appreciation for the training you offered to our cadres, including Generals and Air Officers, some of whom are still serving in the ZDF. A lot more paid the ultimate price on Angolan soil due to incessant enemy attacks which did not spare Angolan citizens,” she said.
She said Zimbabwe remained grateful for the sacrifices made by Angola in hosting ZIPRA and other Southern African liberation movements.
“For providing bases to ZIPRA and other Southern African liberation movements, Angolans incurred huge economic costs and lost many lives. For this, Zimbabwe remains eternally indebted to the people and Government of Angola,” she said.
The shared liberation history laid the foundation for bilateral relations following Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, with cooperation subsequently expanding into defence, security, trade, agriculture and other sectors.
The two countries have also worked together through SADC and other multilateral platforms, including regional efforts to restore stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said Zimbabwe, Angola and Namibia had deployed under the SADC Operation Restore Sovereign Legitimacy in the DRC, describing the intervention as an expression of collective defence and the principle of African solutions to African problems.
She also commended Angola for its continued diplomatic efforts towards promoting peace and security in the DRC.
