It dates back to 45 years when Samora Moises Machel, the first President of the Republic of Mozambique (the then People’s Republic of Mozambique), flew continents and oceans to pay another visit to the DPRK from 14 to 21 May, 1978.

During his earlier visits to Pyongyang in September 1971 and March 1975, he met with President Kim Il Sung and received valuable guidance on strategic and tactical issues arising in the anti-colonial struggle for national liberation of Mozambique. Since then he cherished boundless respect and reverence for President Kim Il Sung .

Therefore, at the historic celebration meeting of declaring the independence and foundation of the republic in June 1975, he said in excitement that the great hero Kim Il Sung illuminated the way forward for the Mozambican people to achieve liberation shattering the chains of slavery, and that they felt obliged to extend their gratitude to Comrade Kim Il Sung , carrying combined hearts of the martyrs who shed their blood and laid down their lives for the independence of the country.

He decided to visit Pyongyang again to learn the experiences of the DPRK, when their efforts to consolidate the independence and build a new society were faced with obstacles due to the impediments of hostile forces.

President Kim Il Sung warmly received him who paid his third visit to Pyongyang as a goodwill envoy of Mozambican people in May 1978. He rendered deep attention and care so that he didn’t feel any inconvenience during his stay.

At the talks with the Mozambican President, he said that the two countries should support and help each other and continue to strengthen and develop cooperative relations as the two countries shared similar past and present striving for the common cause. He gave clear guidance on ways and approaches to follow for the construction of a new society in Mozambique, including such issues as developing agriculture and industry and training their own national cadres.

Having received valuable teachings on the future of his country, President Machel highly praised the relations between the DPRK and Mozambique as the friendly and brotherly relationship as well as the genuine comrade-in-arms relations forged in the common struggle against imperialism and colonialism.

President Kim Il Sung , thereafter, took benevolent measures to send several thousand tons of food to Mozambique when the country was suffering from food shortage. He saw to it that competent Korean technicians and experts were sent to Mozambique to provide sincere assistance for increasing agricultural production through irrigation projects, seed improvement and water pump production. He also extended both material and moral support to the country in the fields of public health, education and so on.

President Machel and people of Mozambique were deeply moved by the noble internationalist obligation and boundless generosity shown by President Kim Il Sung . They named the street in the central area of the capital city, Maputo after him as Kim Il Sung Avenue in order to convey forever his exploits.

The immortal exploits of President Kim Il Sung in the history of friendly relations between the DPRK and Mozambique will shine forever along with the passage of time.

We will, under the ideals of independence, peace and friendship governing the DPRK’s foreign policy, endeavor to further strengthen and promote relations with Mozambique as befits the requirement of the new era and the common interests of two peoples.

Song Se Il

President of Korea-Africa Association