Story by Abigirl Tembo
HARARE – ACTING President General (Retired) Dr Constantino Chiwenga has described the late Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari as a towering figure in African politics, whose legacy stretches across the continent.
Speaking to journalists after signing the book of condolences at the Nigerian Chancery in Harare this Thursday, the Acting President said Zimbabwe has lost a trusted friend and ally, whose contribution to the country’s independence and post-war recovery must never be forgotten.
“The former President leaves a huge legacy for the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, ECOWAS, and the continent of Africa at large. But to honour our case with Zimbabwe, we have a long history with the late President Buhari. You will recall in 1980, he was a minister in President Obasanjo’s government when we attained our independence.
“Towards the end of our war, when we had our two liberation movements before we had our unity accord, we had the patriotic front. It was the government of President Obasanjo, in which President Buhari was serving, that gave us money, up to US$50 million, which was for the liberation of Zimbabwe, and Nigeria was a member of the front line states, even if it was in West Africa. It was a member of the frontline states. A few people now don’t remember that, but it played a major role in our liberation,” he said.
After Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, Nigeria played another vital role, this time in building the new nation’s security forces.
“When we got our independence in 1980, they were the first to take a role in the liberation. They took our guerrillas from both ZIPRA and ZANLA to train them in Nigeria. The likes of Lieutenant General Michael Nyambuya, who is now the Deputy President of the Senate. They were in that group. Air Marshal Basutu, who is now our ambassador in Pakistan, was in that group, and many others. They trained both our air force and our army. That helped us in those formative years when we were building the Zimbabwe National Army and the Air Force of Zimbabwe. And so when he became president in 1983, we had very good relations with him. And when he came back for the second time, that was in 2015, and you know, he strengthened the relations between Zimbabwe and Nigeria.
“I was also lucky when I was tasked by His Excellency the President, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, to go and represent Zimbabwe on his behalf on the handover and takeover of the chains of power in 2023. When he handed over to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, his Excellency the President of Nigeria, and, you know, he said to all of us, I am a cattleman, I am going up north to look after my cattle, and that was the last time we met. And so as we speak, you know the relations between Zimbabwe and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We have got good relations and we work very well on both the AU and on all international affairs,” Dr Chiwenga said.
As Zimbabwe continues to engage Nigeria in continental platforms such as the African Union and other international fora, the Acting President reaffirmed the strength of bilateral ties and paid homage to Buhari’s enduring impact on African unity, peace, and leadership.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died on Sunday and was buried this Tuesday, is being mourned across the continent as a statesman who embodied humility, service, and African solidarity.
