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 3:22:52 PM Vendredi, 19 Avril 2024 | 
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Mugabe urges Zimbabweans to protect resources

Zimbabwe - Economie et Finances
President Robert Mugabe on Tuesday urged Zimbabweans to jealously guard their rich natural resources against external forces bent on plundering them under the guise of spreading democracy in the country.
Addressing thousands of people and members of the Zimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF) during commemorations to mark the 32nd ZDF Day at the Chinese-built National Sports Stadium, Mugabe, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the defense forces, said progressive Zimbabweans should remain focused in the defense of their sovereignty.

"We should join hands to resist the unjustified plunder of our resources by undeserving foreign forces that come to us .. in the name of democracy and globalization, yet they harbor sinister ulterior motives," he said.

He said recent developments had pointed out to other countries having a direct interest in Zimbabwe's natural resources as seen by their influencing the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme in the sale of its diamonds.

Mugabe also bemoaned the slow pace at which landmines planted by the colonial government during the country's war of independence were being cleared. The antipersonnel mines were planted to stop liberation fighters from infiltrating from Zambia and Mozambique.

He noted the imposition of sanctions and withdrawal of financial assistance by the European Union and the United States following political differences stemming from Zimbabwe's controversial land reforms in 2000.

Mugabe thanked the International Committee of the Red Cross which recently provided safety and medical equipment to the ZDF for use in the demining program. Although hostilities ended 32 years ago, the landmines were still wreaking havoc among rural communities, while international statutes placed the responsibility for demining on the majority rule government instead of punishing those who planted the mines, Mugabe complained.

Mugabe also acknowledged the military cooperation between Zimbabwe and other countries and said the National Defense College in Harare was a defense university in the making and there were plans to introduce a number of security related courses for both military and civilian officers.