ZIMBABWEAN PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe angrily criticised Europe and the US yesterday during a speech at the state funeral of his close ally and sister Sabrina, saying “to hell” with those who were opposed to his rule.
The 86-year-old’s emotional outburst in front of thousands of mourners prompted US ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray to leave the funeral. But President Obama’s representative refused to comment about his early departure from Hero’s Acre shrine in Harare, where Sabrina Mugabe was being buried following her death last week.
“We say to hell, hell, hell with them [Europe and the US]. They will not decide who is going to lead the people of Zimbabwe,” Mr Mugabe said before adding that the decision of his opponents to continue imposing sanctions against him and his allies was hurting all Zimbabweans.
Western countries imposed financial sanctions on state firms, and travel restrictions on Mr Mugabe and dozens of his associates about eight years ago, following disputed elections and violent land seizures from white commercial farmers.
The formation of a transitional government in Zimbabwe two years ago between the Movement for Democratic Change party and Mr Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party has failed to convince Brussels and Washington to lift their sanctions.
“We are still being treated as if we don’t own this country. They want to tell us, do A, B and C of that, remove so-and-so and they are now saying Mugabe must go first,” the president said. “Whoever told them that their will is above that of the people of Zimbabwe?”
Mr Mugabe also promised that Zimbabwe’s growing diamond wealth would benefit the whole country rather than just a few local political leaders. “Diamonds should not be pocketed by some individuals. They should help to improve the whole country. Those with an appetite for individual aggrandisement, please blunt your appetite,” he said.