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(TALKZIMBABWE) Mugabe at the AU: 'Lift sanctions against Zimbabwe'

Mugabe at the AU: 'Lift sanctions against Zimbabwe'
AFP/TZG reporters
Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:15:00 +0000

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe on Tuesday urged Western countries to lift sanctions against Zimbabwe which he said have caused the country's economic collapse, which has left millions jobless and hungry.

Speaking on the final day of the 12th African Union summit in Addis Ababa, President Mugabe said the sanctions are "unjust and cruel" and have divided Zimbabweans.

"We believe that these illegal sanctions are not only unjustified and cruel, but they have also contributed deeply to the suffering and the poverty-induced polarisation of the people of Zimbabwe," he said.

President Mugabe accused donors of punishing Zimbabwe for its land reform programme, which began in 2000.

"Our condemnation, our isolation is because my government took the necessary measures to create conditions for equal opportunities, for decolonization, for creating conditions in which our people could regain their lost resources."

The African Union on Saturday called for the lifting of the sanctions against Zimbabwe to alleviate the humanitarian crisis facing the country.

President Mugabe also blamed the West for causing the global financial crisis by allowing the speculative activities of a greedy few and demanded Africa be given a role in shaping a healthier international economic system.

"We are therefore ready and more than willing in playing our part and contributing toward the rebuilding of the global economy," he said.

TZG/AFP

Labels: AU, MUGABE, SANCTIONS

posted by MrK @ 8:13 PM