Maravi

Sata hails Mugabe's anti-US, UK sanctions speech at UN
By Joseph Mwenda and Larry Moonze
Sat 28 Sep. 2013, 14:01 CAT

PRESIDENT Michael Sata on Thursday congratulated his Zimbabwean counterpart Robert Mugabe after the latter castigated the United States and Britain over "illegal and iniquitous sanctions" imposed on that country.

And President Mugabe caused a walkout from the UN General Assembly by American delegates after he rebuked the two countries for rejecting his victory in the July 31st elections, telling them "shame on you."

President Sata commended President Mugabe during his speech and later walked over to him and exchanged greetings before congratulating him for a firm message to the 68th General Assembly.

"Congratulations sekulu; that was a good message. Well done," President Sata was heard saying as the two Presidents exchanged inaudible jokes before taking their seats.

In his speech, President Mugabe chided the European Union as well as the United States over attempts to exert regime change on Zimbabwe.

"Our small and peaceful country is threatened daily by covetous and bigoted big powers whose hunger for domination and control of other nations and their resources knows no bounds," he said.

"Shame! Shame! Shame; we say to the United States of America. Shame! Shame! Shame! We say to Britain and its allies who have continued to impose sanctions, illegal sanctions upon our people. Zimbabwe is for Zimbabweans, so are its ample resources. Please may these countries remove their illegal and iniquitous sanctions from my peaceful country," President Mugabe told the UN.

At this point, the United States delegation to the debate stood and walked out of the General Assembly.

President Mugabe reproached the western countries for causing economic deprivation and human suffering among Zimbabweans through such sanctions.

"Zimbabwe refuses to accept that these western detractors have the right to define democracy and freedom for it… We paid the greatest sacrifice for freedom and independence in Zimbabwe and we remain determined never to relinquish our sovereignty. At the same time, we remain masters of our destiny. As we have repeatedly and loudly said and asserted, Zimbabwe will never be a colony again," President Mugabe said.

In the same speech, President Mugabe underscored the need for the UN to consider Africa's cry for permanent representation to the Security Council.

He also shared Zimbabwe's achievements in attaining Millennium Development Goals and its expectations ahead of the post-2015 development agenda.

Labels: MICHAEL SATA, ROBERT MUGABE, UN

posted by MrK @ 10:53 AM