Story by ZBC Reporter
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Professor Dr Amon Murwira has signed a book of condolences at the United States Embassy in Harare following the death of former United States President, Honourable Jimmy Carter on Sunday.
Briefing journalists after signing the book of condolences at the American Embassy in Harare this Friday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira described the former US President as one of the world’s finest leaders who made significant contributions to Zimbabwe’s freedom.
“President Jimmy Carter was one of the greatest statesmen in the world. When it comes to Zimbabwe, President Jimmy Carter contributed a lot to the independence of Zimbabwe and at the attainment for independence, the United States was one of the first countries to establish an embassy or diplomatic relations with Zimbabwe. And you can see typically where we are right now is the United States Embassy. It’s one of the most majestic buildings in terms of embassies in Zimbabwe. It shows the presence of the United States in Zimbabwe and we attribute this to the contributions of former President Carter.
“And we really take this as s loss, as a great loss, not only to the people of the United States, but to the people of Zimbabwe. His Excellency, President Dr. E. D Mnangagwa passed this message to say, President Carter has passed on, and we as a country would be the first country to pass our condolence messages on this great loss. Because we believe it’s not only the loss of the United States, it’s the loss for Zimbabwe, and it’s a loss for the global community. But at the same time, I think he lived a very long life, and I think God had a purpose to make him live for such a long life. So this is typically why we are here, and we have written in the Book of Condolences to pass our condolence message from the deepest of Zimbabwe’s hearts,” he said.
United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Her Excellency Pamela Tremont said the US and Zimbabwe have more in common than differences.
She said, “I am extremely honoured that the Honourable Minister came to the U.S. Embassy so soon after the festive period to offer his condolences in person. I know it’s a busy time of year for everyone. We’re obviously very sad to lose the great American, former President Jimmy Carter. His legacy in Africa is something, I think, that reminds us that deep at our core, we share the same values of democracy and human rights and working together, both of our countries can strive to fulfil the promises of our respective founding fathers. It’s a good reminder that the United States and Zimbabwe share more in common than the differences that we have, and it’s important that we use that as a base to work going forward.”
The former American President died on Sunday at the age of 100, and will be remembered for facilitating Zimbabwe’s independence and addressing substantial challenges during the 1979 Lancaster House talks
