Story by Oleen Ndori, Foreign Editor
ACTING President Colonel (Rtd) Dr Kembo Mohadi has signed the book of condolences following the death of former Algerian President Liamine Zeroual.
Mr Zeroual passed away on March 28 at a military hospital in Algiers after a prolonged illness. He served as Algeria’s Head of State from 1994 to 1999.
The late leader began his career in Algeria’s National Liberation Army, fighting for independence from French rule before serving as Minister of Defence. He organised Algeria’s first pluralistic presidential election in 1995 and was elected with more than 60 percent of the vote.
Speaking on the occasion, Acting President Mohadi highlighted the historic ties between Harare and Algiers, dating back to the liberation struggles, and described Mr Zeroual as a Pan-Africanist committed to Africa’s independence and unity.
“Algeria had a struggle very similar to ours, fighting for its liberation, fighting against the French. They got their independence long before us in the 1960s, but they did not wait for them to find their feet; they actually took up some of our first decadence to train. They trained in Algeria in the early 60s, and because they did not forget about those people that they trained, I think in the 2000s they tried to find out who was still alive, and we got a few of them that were still alive. One of them, if I am not mistaken, was Moffat Hadebe. They went to Algeria, and they were given honour. They were honoured by the Algerian Government.
“This goes to show how close we are to the People’s Republic of Algeria. The man we are talking about was quite resilient, a freedom fighter, and a man who loved peace, a man who loved the solidarity and unity of Africa. That is what he stood for. He was a champion and pioneer of Africanism on the continent. We have lost somebody of great significance, not only to Zimbabwe, but to the entire continent of Africa. We mourn, and we share the same grief that the Algerian people are sharing,” he said.
Algerian Ambassador to Zimbabwe His Excellency Mohamed Seuodi says while his nation mourns, the memory of the late former President lives on.
“I was glad to hear the President say that our loss is your loss, and that’s true, because between us, you know, we feel the same, we have the same struggle. Algeria, when it gained independence, after a huge price paid for more than one and a half million martyrs against France, felt it was a duty, not a favour, to help our African brothers gain independence.
“We trained people and supported them in international efforts, and Zimbabwe was one of the biggest beneficiaries. The President we lost is a hero of the struggle for liberation. He led Algeria through its darkest decades when terrorism was rampant. He stabilised the country through dialogue and pacification, and he was a true Pan-African,” he said.
Honoured with three days of national mourning, the former Algerian President was buried on Monday in Algeria’s Central Cemetery in the Bouzourane neighbourhood of Batna, in a solemn funeral ceremony led by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
