Zimbabwe joined the world in marking International Peace Day on Monday with a call to end all forms of violence to ensure the country is fully developed.
Speaking in Chinhoyi at an event to mark the day, the Minister of State in Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko’s office, Tabitha Kanengoni-Malinga, said without peace there will never be development in Zimbabwe.
Kanengoni said the international peace day is an opportunity for communities to embrace each other’s differences, listen to each, preach tolerance and ensure the voices of the poor are heard.
The minister said the goal for Zimbabwe is to create sustainable peace at all levels of the society. To achieve peace, she said, everyone should be involved if the country is to achieve true peace.
Chief Milton Dandawa echoed the same sentiments, saying if there was no peace, following the liberation struggle, the rural communities in the country would not have known any development.
UN Resident Coordinator in Zimbabwe Mr. Bishow Parajuli, who read UN Secretary General’s message, said it is sad that this year the International Day of Peace is coming at a time of deadly violence and destabilizing conflicts.
Parajuli said the world should join hands to end the hostilities that are seeing thousands of people living their countries to seek refuge elsewhere.
Different civil society groups also commemorated the International Day of Peace. Church and Civil Society Forum members on peace, in line with the theme of building partnerships, joined the Buhera Peace Club in commemorating community partnerships for peace.
