President Emmerson Mnangagwa has urged the nation to move forward as a united force so as to transform and prosper the nation.

Speaking in a surprise state of the nation address at the State House Tuesday morning, Mnangagwa said people should shun divisive elements trying to derail the achievements made so far by his second republic.

“Although our progress has been slowed down, be rest assured that we shall achieve our objectives. We will overcome, we will defeat the attack and stop the bleeding of our economy, we will overcome attempts at destabilisation of our society by a few Zimbabweans acting in league with foreign detractors,” said Pres Mnangagwa.

He said the second republic has faced several challenges from the time it took office. The president said some of these challenges are divisive politics, illegal sanctions by the west, droughts, cyclone Idai and the recent Covid-19 pandemic.

President Mnangagwa emphasised that the second republic will remain guided by pillars of accountability and transparency as it pursues political and economic reforms.

He added that his government will continue to draw inspiration from the departed and living heroes as it thrives to achieve peace and stability.

The president said the vision of becoming an upper-middle-income economy will be archived despite divisive forces working inside and outside the country’s borders to derail it.