Harare — The Parliaments of Mozambique and Zimbabwe on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a formal framework for inter-parliamentary cooperation, with Mozambican Assembly Speaker Margarida Adamugi Talapa proposing joint training programmes, coordinated positions in international forums and strengthened parliamentary friendship associations.

Talapa delivered the address at the signing ceremony in Harare on 14 September 2026, held during her official visit to Zimbabwe.

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Your Excellency for the worthy invitation you extended to us to make this official visit to Zimbabwe and for the hospitality we have been enjoying since our arrival in this beautiful country,” Talapa told National Assembly Speaker Jacob Mudenda.

She conveyed “fraternal greetings” from Mozambican President Daniel Francisco Chapo and the people of Mozambique to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the people of Zimbabwe.

“This is an important visit for us, not only because it is a visit to an African country, but also because that country we are visiting is Zimbabwe, a sister nation of Mozambique,” she said.

Talapa briefed the Zimbabwean side on developments in Mozambique, describing the political situation as stable and updating the Speaker on the Inclusive National Dialogue led by President Chapo.

“The Inclusive National Dialogue is a genuinely Mozambican process aimed at promoting peace, national reconciliation, and the consolidation of democracy. It engages all political parties with seats in the Assembly of the Republic, Provincial Assemblies, and local governments, as well as religious leaders, scholars, civil society, and all segments of Mozambican society,” she said.

The process, she said, is “currently in the phase of systematizing the contributions collected at the central, provincial, district, and local levels,” with findings expected to lead to amendments to Mozambique’s fundamental laws for consideration by the Assembly.

On the economic front, Talapa said Mozambique is “striving for economic independence,” with President Chapo committed to an economic diplomacy agenda mobilising investment and partnerships.

She cited several government initiatives, including the Fund for Local Development Financing, the “PROMULHER” Women’s Economic Empowerment Fund, the “PROJOVEM” Youth Initiatives Support Fund, and the MOZCOMMUNITY Project, a presidential initiative focused on community development and resilient infrastructure in the northern regions.

Talapa acknowledged that Mozambique continues to face terrorism in parts of Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces, but said the problem is being brought under control.

“Thanks to the efforts of Mozambique’s Defense and Security Forces and the Local Force, as well as support from Rwanda and Tanzania, SADC countries, Zimbabwe included, this problem is being brought under control,” she said.

Talapa described bilateral relations between the two countries as “very long-standing and deep-rooted,” noting that the two nations supported one another in their liberation struggles.

“Today, the relations between the two countries are becoming increasingly strong in a variety of areas, particularly in the political and diplomatic sectors, as well as in energy, transportation, and logistics,” she said.

She cited the recent launch, on 2 September, of the second phase of the Mozambique-Zimbabwe Pipeline expansion by the two presidents, involving the construction of new fuel pumping stations in Nhamatanda, Sofala Province, and Messica, Manica Province.

Parliamentary Cooperation Proposals

Talapa outlined the composition of Mozambique’s Assembly, noting it has 250 members representing four parliamentary groups, FRELIMO, PODEMOS, RENAMO and MDM, with 98 women MPs (39%) and 37 young parliamentarians.

She said Mozambique agreed to the proposal to sign the Parliamentary Cooperation Agreement.

“This is a very important document, as it sets out the general framework that will guide cooperation between our parliaments,” she said.

Talapa proposed conducting training and capacity-building programmes for MPs and parliamentary staff, particularly in legislative processes.

She also proposed “strengthening coordination of positions in international forums in which our parliaments are members, particularly the SADC Parliamentary Forum, the Pan-African Parliament, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union.”

Noting that the election of the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union will take place next month in Tanzania, Talapa said: “I believe our two parliaments can work together to establish a common position.”

She further proposed boosting Parliamentary Friendship Associations between the two countries, noting that Mozambique’s Assembly approved the Mozambique-Zimbabwe Parliamentary Friendship Association in November last year.

Talapa expressed solidarity with Zimbabwe following recent disasters.

“And because we are two sister nations, the pain felt by Zimbabwe is also felt by Mozambique; please accept, Your Excellency, our deepest sympathy in light of the tragedies that occurred in Zimbabwe last month,” she said.

She cited the boat accident on Lake Kariba on 11 August and a car accident in Chivhu on 28 August, both of which resulted in loss of life and injuries.

“On behalf of the Mozambican people, we express our condolences and hope that the injured will make a full recovery,” she said.

In conclusion, Talapa reiterated her gratitude for the invitation and extended an invitation to Speaker Mudenda to visit Mozambique next year.

“We reiterate our invitation extended to Your Excellency to pay an official visit to Mozambique next year. It will be a great honor for us to welcome you to our country and to reciprocate the hospitality we have been enjoying here in Harare,” she said.

She closed her address in Shona: “Tinotenda, Moko Mudenda. Thank you very much.”