Mugabe scored own goal: EU Southern Eye 3 April 2014
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe miscalculated and overestimated his continental influence when he boycotted the fourth European Union (EU)-Africa summit hoping that other African countries would follow suit.
EU head of delegation to Zimbabwe, Aldo Dell’Ariccia yesterday told our sister paper NewsDay that the boycott was a diplomatic blunder by the 90-year-old president.
“There was a decision by Zimbabwe not to attend the EU-Africa summit thinking that other African states would back the boycott of the summit as well,” Dell’Ariccia said.
“But unfortunately, that did not happen. At the end of the day, this comes as a major diplomatic setback for Zimbabwe.”
He also described Mugabe’s decision to boycott the summit which opened in Brussels yesterday as a “hiccup” which comes at a time the continental bloc was making efforts to re-engage with Zimbabwe.
Mugabe’s wife, Grace, was denied a visa by the EU to travel to Brussels for the EU-Africa Summit and in protest, Zimbabwe boycotted the event.
The EU-Africa Summit brings together African and European leaders and is running under the theme “Investing in People, Prosperity and Peace”.
The summit will discuss issues of women and youth, education, legal and illegal migrant flows between continents, and ways to stimulate growth and job creation, among other issues.
Dell’Ariccia said it was unfortunate that Zanu PF had embarked on a campaign to discredit the summit in order to justify its stance.
“It’s unfortunate that we have a hiccup which has come as a result of the decision taken by the Zimbabwean government not to take part in the EU-Africa Summit in Brussels.
“A lot of false information has been circulated in the country to the effect that Sudan and Eritrea were not invited to the summit. However, both countries were invited as a matter of fact,” Dell’Ariccia said.
He, however, said the EU remained committed to re-engaging with Zimbabwe despite the Southern African country’s decision to snub the EU-Africa summit.
He expressed optimism that relations between Zimbabwe and the EU would soon be normalised despite the misunderstandings.
“But for us, the process of re-engagement continues and we hope that we are going to have our relations normalised soon,” he said.
This year the EU removed targeted sanctions on the remaining eight individuals in Mugabe’s inner circle and said they would resume full co-operation with Zimbabwe in November basing on events on the ground.
The bloc, however, maintained that Mugabe and his wife Grace would remain on the targeted measures list.
Dell’Ariccia reiterated the EU’s commitment to assist Zimbabwe in various sectors of the economy.
COMMENTS
kicked himself in the balls
It’s inevitable when senile old men are ‘elected’ to play contact sports.
Mugabe is a fool as he always is, he doesn’t think, some people say Morgan is daft, I think Mugabe is even worse, when is he going to learn. He did the same in 2000 abt the land issue, when he said he was going to grab farms from white commercial farmers, what did those african leaders said to him yes thats a good thing thing we want our land back. U r a hero of africa. After this idiot/dog kicked them farmers out of those farms what did those leaders said to our x farmers come to my country I will give u land. And they did. Now we r buying maize from those same farmers which we chased away. The same thing happened with this eu meeting they said if mugabe’s wife is not given a visa we r boycotting the meeting. Did they do that? No. Now who is fool? Robbie. Taneta nazvo izvi. Wakutya kusiya mukadzi kumashure wakutya kuti anosara achizvakatsva nanagono. Mutorei mukadzi ari half your age. Anoda munhu waanoita 50, 50 naye.
What on earth could Bob contribute to a summit on People, Prosperity and Peace anyway, apart from how to destroy them all?
It was just a platform for him to rant and to feel that he is significant.
He shouldn’t even be Pres! He has been voted out several times. And ZPF think that God as gone to sleep over Zimbabwe. Surpise! Surprise! God will NOT be mocked. RGM is an illegitimate Pres! bottom line! Plain simple fact!judgement day will be a very interesting day!
EU wants to “normalise relations”? Why? Are they saying that ZANU PF is different to what it was before? Wake up, stupid people.
As you see the hero, Mugabe, didn’t attend the summit and there still issues on him, why are EU still running after Mugabe, because all about the summit is his rich land and other African lands, but at the moment EU will not taste the natural food which healthier than their which is snow, i am telling if Mugabe boycott the summit there was no an issue or decision at all.
Every rational people know that we are a blessed nation and God loves us so much and only God knows the reason why Zim did not go, just watch out, EU or no EU God is gonna do great things for us and such signs are already visible to those who have spiritual eyes. God is rather shaping us to be able to do our own things through these hardships so we do not rely on others, its a difficult way of learning, but as I said, watch out from today onwards, God is saying those nations that want to share the coming glory with us should come and fairly be friends with us in the love of God now.
@ dviad
If god loved you – then why do you live in poverty?
I am amazed at the longevity god bestows upon dictators and despots. I can only guess this is a way of keeping trouble makers out of his spiritual domain, and stave off ‘Promised Land’ invasions.
Will the Doctor, it is true we live in poverty, can EU live without black Africans, all their daily meal depends up on Africa, according to poverty we live, it is you who made us be poverty because you invaded our lands after a long starvation, enslaved us, divided us and colonized us; now that issue ended and we have a metal defends like Mugabe and other heroes.
Then you have to admit that it says something that starving tribes from Europe got off their bums and exerted a strength, power, ingenuity and drive for self determination. This they were doing for themselves for some many thousands of years, oblivious of Africas’ existence on the world map. Whatever the argument for or against, their modus operandi was to increase their prospects, instead wallowing in self pity with big chips on shoulders, crying foul and pointing accusing fingers at everyone else.
Dviad, do never depend upon what EU are doing, whatever they produce, it is from our properties either technician or food elements, we don’t look at ZANU PF, but we look our unity, EU supports whatever west people do, whether right or wrong, they agree, why don’t we oppose ours blood and flesh.
Ahh the rants of another uneducated zanu pf idiot
Got his laptop from Shamisa for free.