Mugabe off to New York for UN assembly

via Mugabe off to New York for UN assembly 21/09/2014

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe flew out to New York Saturday where he was set to join world leaders for the 69th session of the UN General Assembly.

State television reported that Mugabe arrived in New York Sunday where he was met at the J.F.K airport by Zimbabwe’s permanent representative to the United Nations and his embassy staff.

“The President is expected to attend the climate summit on Tuesday and the General Assembly will open on Wednesday,” said the ZBC-TV.

“President Mugabe is expected to address the Assembly in his capacity as head of state, Sadc chairperson and incoming African Union chairperson.”

Bolstered by his recent assumption of the SADC chair, the Zimbabwean ruler is expected to be in his defiant mood when he takes to the podium to address the summit.

Mugabe has, during past summits, never missed an opportunity to bash his former western allies for imposing sanctions on his government and alleged double standards.

The veteran leader has often demanded the reforming of the UN Security Council which he claims was operating under heavy influence from world powers such as the United States.

He is adamant the UN organ was masking western attempts to recolonise less powerful countries especially those on the African continent to plunder their natural resources.

“For how long should Africa continue to be denied the right to play a pivotal role in the United Nations Security Council as it decides measures on conflicts within its own borders?

“Indeed, recent events have revealed that its formal decisions have provided camouflage to neo-imperialist forces of aggression seeking to militarily intervene in smaller countries in order to effect regime change and acquire complete control of their wealth,” Mugabe said then.

The outspoken leader is likely take up issues with the UN for allowing the bombardment of Palestine by Israel, a sentiment he passionately expressed when he took over the SADC chairmanship.

The US added Mugabe to its gallery of rogue leaders, accusing him brutalising on political opponents, poll theft and running down a once thriving economy.

The 90-year-old leader, who is on a 2001 US travel embargo, was a conspicuous absentee when President Barack Obama hosted African leaders during the recent US-Africa summit.