Lusaka — AFRICAN countries should intensify efforts in the struggle for common economic development, Tanzanian High Commissioner George Mwanjabala has said.

And mines minister Kaunda Lembalemba said there was need to strengthen trade ties between Zambia and Tanzania for the benefit of the two countries.

Speaking during Tanzania's national day, which fell yesterday, High Commissioner Mwanjabala said there was need for African countries to fight for economic independence the same way countries fought for political independence.

"In our common struggle for economic development, individual efforts must be supplemented. The region needs to achieve sustainable economic independence. It is important to note that after the realisation of the common struggle, the Mtwara Development Corridor Agreement was signed," he said.

High Commissioner Mwanjabala said although Zambia and Tanzania shared socio-economic ties through various economic ventures, more could be done.

He added that Tanzania's independence would have been meaningless if part of Africa remained in colonial bondage.

"Tanzania and Zambia were determined to fight colonialism and although the apartheid regime then used to compare gallant men and women (freedom fighters) with terrorists, the truth remained that the apartheid regime and its administrators were the real terrorists. Even today, apartheid remains a crime against humanity," he said.

High Commissioner Mwanjabala further hailed the role Dr Kenneth Kaunda and the late Julius Nyerere played during the liberation struggle adding that the two leaders epitomised the love and fraternity of Zambia and Tanzania.

And Lembalemba said there was need for Zambia and Tanzania to exploit the relations the countries had continued to enjoy prior to independence.

Lembalemba said apart from participating in various peace processes in the region, Zambia and Tanzania had continued to be safe havens for refugees from war-torn countries in the sub-region.

"While appreciating the current level of cooperation between Zambia and Tanzania, we still believe that more could be done to consolidate and enhance further the existing cordial relations between the two countries through improved trade ties. We can also enhance scientific and technical information in areas like agriculture, joint tourism packages, transport, communication, energy and mining," Lembalemba said.

"Peace interventions and hosting of refugees are all borne out our mutual respect for the values of peace and human dignity. Indeed it is this same spirit that catalysed our involvement in the liberation struggles the Southern Africa."

Lembalemba further hailed Tanzania for hosting the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region in 2004 adding that the gesture portrayed the country's determination in finding a durable solution to instability in African nations marred with conflict.

Second Republican president Frederick Chiluba, who was accompanied by his wife Regina, was among the people who attended the Tanzania's national day.