President Yoweri Museveni has disagreed with the idea of putting sanctions on African countries particularly Zimbabwe calling it the act of ‘cowardice’.
President Museveni is in Zimbabwe for a two-day visit as the chief guest on the official opening of the 60th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo.
Museveni, called the act of putting sanctions as cowardice the fact that Zimbawe has been under sanctions from United States of America close to two decades, Britain and other countries from the European Union.
“I want to condemn the sanctions which have been put on Zimbabwe for such a long time,” Museveni said, referencing the close to two decades that Zimbabwe has been under sanctions from the United States, Britain and other countries in the European Union.
“The idea of sanctions is cowardice,” continued Museveni. “If somebody is wrong, leave him. He will fail by his own mistakes. Why do you have to put sanctions,” queried Museveni.
Also this is a problem of us Africans, we don’t work closely together. If somebody puts sanctions on one of us, we also put sanctions on them. I don’t agree with those who say Africa is much weaker to work together. OAU and the frontline countries worked together to support the struggles for freedom in South Africa. If we discussed closely and cognately we can have a greater impact,” he added.
Various calls have been made by various leaders and certain groups asking U.S, Britain and EU to lift the sanctions on Zimbabwe. Contrary to the call, all have extended the sanctions to one year pending the implementation and adoption of certain reforms including respect for human rights, rule of law and freedom of the press.
President Museveni also hinted on the idea of working together as African Countries and pledged support to Zimbabwe in case of need.
“I want to encourage you to be steadfast in the challenges imposed on you by external factors. We shall stand by you. Zimbabwe is a rich country; let’s work together and develop this huge potential of Zimbabwe,” he said.
“We had died and been buried. But we rose again. Uganda now has got one of the fastest growing economies in the World, Zimbabwe can do the same.
“we should work together to exploit the big potential of Zimbabwe particularly the wide range of minerals available in the Southern African country,” Museveni added.
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