PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe claimed Saturday said African countries and nations from other regions such as Asia are prepared to pull out of the 70-year-old United Nations and form a rival organisation.
The Zimbabwean leader said that the idea follows numerous bids by the Africa Union to join the United Nations Security Council which have been blocked being blocked some council states.
He was addressing thousands of Zanu PF supporters gathered at Harare International Airport to welcome him back home from the United Nations General Assembly which was held in New York last week
Currently the five UN security council members are China, Russia, Britain, France, and United States.
“This year we went to UN as an African committee after we agreed to join hands and speak with one voice on the issue of vetoing power,” said the 92-year-old leader.
“It’s unfortunate that we had not finished and agreed on our position as the African Union, but I hope all will be fine next year.”
“But next year in September if they keep on refusing to accept and give the Africa Union the vetoing powers we will pull out.”
He went on to say that not all countries were against the AU’s membership of the security council, revealing that Russia and China backed Africa’s position.
President Mugabe and wife Grace in Harare on Saturday
“However, countries such as Britain, France and America are blocking us.
“If they continue with their stance, they must know that more countries that are members of the United Nations are from Africa and Asia.
“They must not cry foul when countries from these regions pull out and form our own Union.
“The Union will have countries such as China, India and other Asian countries, and then we have to see that which countries will remain in United Nations.”
Mugabe however, admitted that his views were not shared by other African leaders.
“Africa is now full of cowards who are afraid, so we need to give them (hesitant leaders) courage during this process of deliberations,” he said.
“We have to visit them country-by-country; but they always tell us, you should be countries to lead us on this position.”
He added: “(We want leaders who speak) without fear like the founding Fathers that formed Organisation of African Unity
“It must not Mugabe alone who should always be outspoken on these issues.”-AllAfrica
