Story by Josephine Mugiyo, Diplomatic Correspondent
ON December 22, 1987, the historic Unity Accord was signed by the nation’s founding fathers, the late President Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe and the late Vice President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo.
38 years on, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reaffirmed that no effort to divide Zimbabweans will ever succeed, underscoring the Unity Accord as a lasting symbol of national cohesion and peace.
Every December 22 is a reflection of just how much has been achieved by the country as a united front.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has delivered a message for all Zimbabweans on the significance of this day, tracking the developments that have come about as a result of this unity.
“The accord ushered in national unity, which remains a critical building block towards durable peace, progress and development in our nation. This day remains forever etched in the rich history and heritage of our beloved motherland. Zimbabwe. Inspired by the spirit of that accord, we are all working together as one indivisible nation, towards a prosperous, upper middle income society, for the benefit of both current and future generations,” he said.
Even in the face of sanctions that have threatened the well-being of Zimbabwe’s economy, the nation has stayed united.
“Unity and love for our country have seen the illegal sanctions failing to break or divide us as a people. Therefore, no amount of pressure, falsehoods and vilification of our country will derail the evident people-centred development trajectory,” President Mnangagwa said.
Despite the setbacks, Zimbabwe has scored huge milestones on the development front. President Mnangagwa brought attention to the successful implementation of the National Development Strategy One, which has seen economic growth across various sectors.
“As we reflect on the journey we have travelled since the signing of the unity accord, we continue to celebrate the countless victories we have scored as one United Nation, the NDS1, which concludes this year, has delivered. Going forward, NDS2 was launched with our focus shifting to industrialisation, value addition and inclusive growth. We are committed to accelerating the transformation of our economy, creating jobs and improving the quality of life for our people. The agriculture sector is flourishing with record-breaking production in maize, wheat, cotton and tobacco, among other crops,” he said.
President Mnangagwa says safeguarding the values of independence, unity and peace remains key.
“My government remains committed to the mechanisms that have been put in place to ensure that we consolidate the gains of independence, unity and peace, bequeathed to us by our forebears. The ongoing government-led Gukurahndi National outreach programme through the guidance of our traditional leaders, is receiving the government’s support, towards promoting national healing, unity and reconciliation,” he said.
President Mnangagwa ended his Unity Day message by stating that no attempt to divide the people of Zimbabwe will succeed.
“Zimbabwe is a unitary state, a land with many cultures, languages and tribes that make us a uniquely diverse society united under one flag and one national anthem. No culture, language or tribe is superior to any other. Differences in perspectives, ideas and approaches may arise; these must be amicably resolved through dialogue. This is the inheritance and ethos left for us by our founding fathers, through the historic unity accord we are celebrating today. Under my administration, there is no room for antagonistic and divisive differences, which breed hatred and disharmony. No attempt to divide us will ever succeed,” he said.
The clarion call by President Mnangagwa on this 38th anniversary of the Unity Accord is emphatic peace and unity reign supreme.
