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Unity is crucial to peace and development in Africa, says former Head of State
(Left): Sweden’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Dr. Sten Rylander (photoleft), and Manicaland Governor and Resident Minister, the Hon. Tinaye Chigudu (centre), congratulate H.E. Joaquim Chissano, former President of Mozambique, following his keynote presentation. Bottom Right):
Former President Chissano spent an afternoon engaging with students on issues of leadership and change in Africa.
Former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano has called on Africans to unite in the face of neo-colonialist policies that divide their continent and hinder its development. Chissano made the call for greater African unity during a keynote presentation at the third annual Dag Hammarskjold commemorative event at Africa University. As the Guest of Honour at the three-day event celebrating the life and legacy of former United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold, Chissano presented a paper entitled “Reflections on the Search for Peace and Development in Africa”. In it, he noted that “Colonial regimes promoted unequal development within a given country and created huge disparities between and among ethnic groups…In fact, the colonial Chissano said it was important to have integration, at the national, regional and
continental levels, as this would in turn form the basis for shared values, common understanding and common ownership of resources. He concluded that the search for peace should be founded on shared understanding and interests as well as regular dialogue between and among people.
“Unity constitutes a national question and is the key to nation building. The successes of the new Liberia and Sierra Leone are based on the ability of the leadership in these countries to promote national reconciliation and unity,” said Chissano.Using Mozambique as a case study, Chissano cited the peace accord signed between the rebel group Renamo and the Frelimo government in October 1991 and the post-accord process of peace, development and nation-building.
“Since 1992, Mozambique has been able to create an enabling environment for democracy to flourish,” he said.
“We have since successfully held three presidential elections and have also created democratic institutions such as parliament and the judiciary, which are accountable to the people. For Chissano, national development and reconstruction require the promotion of democratic values such as the rule of law and the protection of human rights. He noted that peace-building efforts must involve all the people, especially the disadvantaged, if the desired outcome is a durable peace.
The best indicator of democracy, he said, was the reciprocal trust shared between the governors and the governed. This trust, he said, should be built on the full participation of all; in accordance with consensually agreed upon methods of participation.
(Left): Sweden’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Dr. Sten Rylander (photoleft), and Manicaland Governor and Resident Minister, the Hon. Tinaye Chigudu (centre), congratulate H.E. Joaquim Chissano, former President of Mozambique, following his keynote presentation. Bottom Right):
Former President Chissano spent an afternoon engaging with students on issues of leadership and change in Africa.
Former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano has called on Africans to unite in the face of neo-colonialist policies that divide their continent and hinder its development. Chissano made the call for greater African unity during a keynote presentation at the third annual Dag Hammarskjold commemorative event at Africa University. As the Guest of Honour at the three-day event celebrating the life and legacy of former United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold, Chissano presented a paper entitled “Reflections on the Search for Peace and Development in Africa”. In it, he noted that “Colonial regimes promoted unequal development within a given country and created huge disparities between and among ethnic groups…In fact, the colonial Chissano said it was important to have integration, at the national, regional and
continental levels, as this would in turn form the basis for shared values, common understanding and common ownership of resources. He concluded that the search for peace should be founded on shared understanding and interests as well as regular dialogue between and among people.
“Unity constitutes a national question and is the key to nation building. The successes of the new Liberia and Sierra Leone are based on the ability of the leadership in these countries to promote national reconciliation and unity,” said Chissano.Using Mozambique as a case study, Chissano cited the peace accord signed between the rebel group Renamo and the Frelimo government in October 1991 and the post-accord process of peace, development and nation-building.
“Since 1992, Mozambique has been able to create an enabling environment for democracy to flourish,” he said.
“We have since successfully held three presidential elections and have also created democratic institutions such as parliament and the judiciary, which are accountable to the people. For Chissano, national development and reconstruction require the promotion of democratic values such as the rule of law and the protection of human rights. He noted that peace-building efforts must involve all the people, especially the disadvantaged, if the desired outcome is a durable peace.
The best indicator of democracy, he said, was the reciprocal trust shared between the governors and the governed. This trust, he said, should be built on the full participation of all; in accordance with consensually agreed upon methods of participation.
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more information contact
Sharai Nondo/ Susan
Chaya
Africa University
Information Office, Box 1320 Mutare.
Tel: +263-020 66169, Fax: 020 61785,
Email: nondos@fricau.ac.zw, Website: www.africau.edu