During the meeting, with about seventy Swiss nationals, the Ambassador updated on an assortment of issues ranging from bilateral relations with the Government of Zimbabwe following the recent political changes, the Regional Development Programme for Southern Africa implemented by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), election support to Zimbabwe in light of the upcoming elections, culture and staff changes that will take place during 2018.
“We have been working closely with the Government of Zimbabwe following the recent political changes on various issues that range from compensation of Swiss citizens who lost land during the land re-distribution exercise, to facilitating re-engagement with the outside world including organizing a bilateral meeting between President Mnangagwa and the Swiss President Alain Berset during the World Economic Forum in Davos to give a message concerning our expectations with regards reforms in the country,” said Ambassador Huber.
The Ambassador also apprised the Swiss Community on the newly approved development strategy for the Regional Programme for Southern Africa (2018-2022) implemented by the SDC. She emphasised on how the thematic focus of the strategy will continue on food security (seed systems and seed production) and HIV/AIDS with a particular focus on prevention; while there will be a new focus on youth employment. Geographically, the regional programme will be implemented with greater emphasis in five countries – Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Lesotho and Swaziland.
With regards the impending elections, the Ambassador noted how the Embassy is judiciously working with various organisations such as the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and various political parties to support the establishment of Party Liaison Committees and renew the commitment for a revised Code of Conduct for better dispute resolution and prevention of violence.
In relation to cultural cooperation activities, Mrs. Huber said that culture has always been a very important topic for Switzerland in Zimbabwe and the region and during her tenure she consistently followed her predecessor’s tradition in supporting Gallery Delta and through bringing Swiss artists to perform at such festivals as the Francophone and the Harare International Festival of the Arts which she anticipated would continue in 2018.
On a sad note, Ambassador Huber officially announced the news of her premature departure from Zimbabwe at the end of February to take another position in Berne, Switzerland. “We have enjoyed Zimbabwe and we have lived through interesting times and travelled quite a bit meeting very nice people…We feel very sad to be leaving and we will miss all of you,” said Ambassador Huber.
Before her replacement assumes duty, Ms. Juliane Ineichen, the Regional Director of the SDC will act in her position and in June, Ms. Ineichen will also be departing to assume new responsibilities in Berne.
