via Zim ‘misses out on chance to address key issues’ | News24 2014-04-03
Zimbabwe has missed out on a chance to address key issues like sanctions after President Robert Mugabe boycotted an EU-Africa summit that is currently under way in Brussels, EU ambassador to Zimbabwe Aldo Dell’Ariccia has said, according to eNCA.
Mugabe and his entire Zimbabwean delegation opted to stay at home after his wife Grace was denied a visa to travel with him.
Mugabe and his wife are under an EU travel ban imposed in 2002, after a government crackdown on the opposition and the eviction of white farmers from agricultural land.
The EU had, however, waived the visa ban on Mugabe, who is the vice-chairperson of the AU, saying it was not bound by the ban when hosting large international conferences.
Peace, prosperity and more trade
EU made it clear that only those with a role to play in meetings at the summit had been invited.
Meanwhile, a report by Africa Review said the summit, which opened on Wednesday, kicked off with calls for peace, prosperity and more trade.
The summit brings together 40 Africa and 20 European heads of state and government with an aim to deepening co-operation between the two continents.
Some of the African leaders at the summit are AU Commission boss Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, presidents Hellen Sirleaf-Johnson of Liberia, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, Paul Biya of Cameroon and King Mswati of Swaziland.
COMMENTS
Has Zimbabwe really missed out on anything. What has the multi million dollar money gobbling globe trotting president actually done for Zimbabwe in the myriad of meetings he attends. please! let us be real. Nothing will change until there is change.