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Tendai Mugabe Senior Reporter
Former African Heads of State and Government and other senior dignitaries who attended President Mugabe’s inauguration in Harare yesterday hailed Zimbabwe’s elections as free and fair.Speaking at the luncheon hosted by President Mugabe for the former and current Heads of State and Government, Zambia’s founding President Dr Kenneth Kaunda said the elections went on well.
“There was talk by some countries, the West of this world, who said that you stole elections this year,” he said.
“Those are their thoughts, but you know the truth and the truth has been supported by a number of organisations. Honourable organisations have supported you.
“They supported you saying this is an honest election. It went on very well. If they (West) have their ideas or reason of saying what they are saying whether they are right or not write your story Robert Gabriel Mugabe. Tell the whole world the truth.
“Make your story known by the whole world.”
Dr Kaunda urged President Mugabe to write memoirs about his political career so that the world knows what he went through.
He echoed President Mugabe’s sentiments that former Iraq president Saddam Hussein was killed on a false pretext by the West who wanted to loot oil in his country.
“I went there myself Cde Mugabe,” said Dr Kaunda. “I flew in a Zambian government plane and I said ‘I understand you are housing dangerous weapons why do you keep these, throw them out’. He (Saddam Hussein) said my dear brother I do not have those things. They are saying that because they want my oil.
I trusted him and I came out saying that there is no dangerous weapons the West is talking about. Nothing happened. They still worked ahead and brought him down and got him killed.
“An innocent man – so Robert Gabriel Mugabe you have stood strong, continue to stand strong. This is what is going to keep your name strong. This is why I say write your memoirs as I want your name to continue long after you are gone.
“Let the truth be known by those who come in future. Stand for what you stood for. We are proud of that.”
President Kaunda proved his prowess as a gifted musician when he joined the Police Band on stage and played the lead guitar and sang two songs praising President Mugabe and the independence of Zimbabwe and Zambia.
After his speech, Dr Kaunda, who was walking with the aid of a walking stick, ran in full speed much to the applause of the gathering to shake President Mugabe’s hands.
Former President of Botswana Festus Mogae said President Mugabe’s inauguration opened a new chapter in Zimbabwe’s history.
“It is an important event,” he said. “It is starting of stable periods in the recent history of the country and we are all excited about it. The fact that there was peace is important.”
South Sudan Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Bernaba Benjamin dismissed the West’s claims that Zimbabwe’s elections were not free and fair.
“We believe in democracy,” he said. “Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion.”
Dr Benjamin said Harare and Juba enjoyed cordial relations and said Zimbabweans were resilient people who managed to resolve their differences amicably.
Meanwhile, speaking at the Harare International Airport on his departure, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete said Zimbabwean elections were peaceful and the country should now move forward.
“We are happy for Zimbabwe because in 2008 there were lots of turbulence, but these elections were peaceful,” he said.
“My wish is for the country to forge synergies for the country to move forward. Zimbabwe is a beautiful country and it needs to move forward.”
Also speaking before his departure, President Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia said the win by Zanu-PF was for all countries that were still under the guidance of former liberation war movements.
“I came here to represent the people of Namibia and Swapo party,” he said.
“The win is not only for Zimbabweans, but all those nations under liberation war movements. The elections were free and fair and they were a good example in the region that everyone should emulate.”
Online Reporter