via Mugabe ropes Africa into Grace visa fight 26/03/2014 NewZimbabwe
AN organ of the African Union (AU) was, Wednesday, said to have urged a boycott of the European Union-Africa summit next week after President Robert Mugabe’s wife, Grace, was refused a visa to travel with the Zimbabwean leader.
The EU imposed sanctions against Zimbabwe, including travel bans on top government and Zanu PF officials in 2002, after a government crackdown on the opposition and the eviction of white farmers from agricultural land.
The sanctions were lifted this year but the EU maintained the travel ban against Mugabe and his wife for another year in a bid to force the veteran leader to continue to implement key reforms.
But the wily Zimbabwean leader managed to get the AU to threaten to boycott the fourth EU-Africa summit scheduled for Brussels in Belgium next week if he was not invited, forcing an EU climb-down.
EU ambassador to Zimbabwe, Aldo Dell’Ariccia, explained that only those with a role to play in the meetings had been invited, suggesting Grace did not need to travel.
“We have invited those with a role to play in the meetings and the programmes of the meetings do not have any role for spouses,” said the envoy.
“Since she is under restrictive measures the host country (Belgium) has to seek a green light from the EU for her to attend. The EU has to reach a consensus but in this case that has not happened.”
But government officials countered that it is no business of the EU to determine who should be part of the Zimbabwean delegation or what officials had any role in Brussels.
Mugabe’s spokesman George Charamba hinted that Zimbabwe would likely boycott the meeting if Grace was not allowed to travel.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, said a meeting of the AU’s Peace and Security Council held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Wednesday recommended Africa boycotts the summit if the EU insisted on determining the composition of country delegations.
“The African Union Peace and Security Council took a decision that the European Union was in violation of an AU resolution that they do not have the right to determine the composition of Africa’s delegation,” he told the Herald.
“So the AU Peace and Security Council has recommended to all member states that the Summit cannot be held until Europe recognises Africa’s sovereignty.
“If they want it to proceed, they should accept that they have no right to determine the delegation from Africa. I have since briefed President Mugabe and he has since welcomed the decision.”
COMMENTS
What impact is it going to have if mugabe is not at the summit why african heads of state fear mugabe he is not god
Mugabe’s spokesman George Charamba hinted that Zimbabwe would likely boycott the meeting if Grace was not allowed to travel.
Who cares we don’t want any of you thieves here in Europe or any of the other thieving despots from Africa that you call leaders
Africa will be the loser, not the EU
Wouldn’t it be great if the EU goes ahead without Mugabe ” how ackward would that be for him COME ON EU Mugabe is not going to bring anything to the table except the rantings and ravings of the west and don’t forget the colonial’s that he has been ranting and raving for the past 32 years…does nobody ever get tired of him and his speeches….
He Is a Dictator of his own country & he is a Dictator to the AU& SADAC. Wait & see he will also become a Dictator to the EU They will obey him, & Grace will get her Visa.No Doubt about that
Stay strong EU, do not let her attend. If she is allowed to go, who will keep her security types happy back in Zim. They will be on short rations!!
so blair keeps his england
Insider you are in your day dream, who is short in rations, kkkkk why EU always insist they’ll have a summit with African heroes! to beg and share them the food in their lands, each and every Africa black man has knowledge that is known others!! it is wisdom endowed by God, so you and Jan which means Jin, will be annoyed the progress of Africa but whether you cry or not this process will keep going.