Source: 10th Former Liberation Movements indaba opens | The Herald September 10, 2019
Joseph Madzimure in VICTORIA FALLS
THE 10th Conference of the Former Liberation Movements (FLMS) of Southern Africa opened here yesterday, with Zanu-PF secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu urging the SADC region to guard against Western machinations in destabilising Zimbabwe through sanctions and prevailing xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Neo-colonial encroachment, Dr Mpofu said, was also evident in the threat of sanctions against South Africa and Namibia, where talk of expropriation of land without compensation is topical, as well as the proliferation of Western-funded non-governmental organisations and surrogate opposition parties in Africa.
“Currently, SADC member states’ governments led by FLMs are stable when compared to other regions. Sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe were used as a case study in the region since it is located at a strategic geographical location which links with other members states.
“We are aware that the neo-colonialists are threatening South Africa and Namibia with illegal sanctions so that the whole region will suffer economically, as a new wave of spearheading regime change,” he said.
Dr Mpofu said FLMs brought political independence to their respective countries and now face similar wars on the economic front.
“We managed to bring political independence to our respective nations. The next journey is that of economically empowering our people. The vigour with which we brought this cherished freedom is the same which we should apply in the economic battle.
“Our theme of this meeting is, therefore, aptly coined: Uniting against neo-colonialism through total economic cooperation, development and independence,” said Dr Mpofu.
Dr Mpofu welcomed the Botswana Democratic Party and the Patriotic Front of Zambia, who are attending the meeting for the first time and as observers.
Apart from the host, Zanu-PF, the conference drew representatives from the ANC of South Africa, SWAPO of Namibia, Chama Cha Mapinduzi of the United Republic of Tanzania, FRELIMO of Mozambique and MPLA of Angola.
Dr Mpofu called for strong youth wings among FLM members in the region so they defend the ideology and values of the liberation movements, hence the need to economically empower youths.
Speaking during the question and answer session that capped the opening ceremony, political analyst Dr Maxwell Hove said there was need for FLMs to put in place legislative framework to monitor the activities of NGOs, some of whom were being used for subversive activities.
“There is need for member states to put in place legislative framework which governs the operations of the NGOs who are being used by colonial forces.
“The Western countries are using civil society, who are sponsored by the United States of America, to undermine the Government and systems among African countries.
“Have a legislative framework to monitor and catch their strategies early enough before they destroy our systems,” he said.
After the opening session, the respective wings of the parties proceeded to closed-door committees sessions.
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