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President Mugabe

Pamela Shumba in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
President Mugabe has challenged Zimbabweans in the diaspora to play an active role in turning around the economy by working closely with the government.Addressing Zimbabweans based in Ethiopia on Sunday, President Mugabe said economic revival required the participation of all Zimbabweans regardless of political affiliation.

The Zimbabweans living here hosted a dinner in honour of President Mugabe’s achievements.

The African Union and Sadc chairman is here to attend the 18th Comesa Summit in Addis Ababa.

“Ethiopia has managed to do a lot of construction and improvement because a lot of its people are in the diaspora. It’s also happening in other countries like Cape Verde Islands and I want to urge our people to come together,’’ President Mugabe said.

“A Zimbabwean is a Zimbabwean whether Zanu-PF or MDC. This is one area we can’t be separated from each other; an area where we’re Zimbabweans together.”

President Mugabe said the leadership was ready to get ideas and advice from fellow citizens in the diaspora.

“Let’s try to utilise our resources to the best of our ability. We must also have good roads. We need power and that’s what we’re trying to produce in Kariba,” he said.

“All this can happen in an environment of peace where people can interact easily, where people are not afraid and can talk as friends and allies and as Zimbabweans.”

President Mugabe urged Zimbabweans to cherish the peace prevailing in the country.

“We protect that environment and cherish it, that environment of peace where we support one another. You may be Gushungo, Shoko or Khumalo but what comes first is peace. The fact is that we fought together and created Zimbabwe as our home.”

He challenged Zimbabweans to embrace the five-year economic blueprint, Zim-Asset.

“Zim-Asset has a meaning to the people and they must know the meaning. Industrial planners and experts in the economy must explain to the people what Zim-Asset means and make them understand its objectives to the entire nation,” President Mugabe said.

“We need frontrunners who will lead the nation in implementing programmes that will bring development to the country. We must also be educated about the struggle so that we know where we’re coming from and where we’re going.

“As a nation, we’ve adopted principles and we’ll never sacrifice them,” President Mugabe said.

The event was attended by Zimbabwean Ambassador to Ethiopia Albert Chimbindi, Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha, Presidential spokesperson George Charamba, senior government officials and Zimbabweans living in Ethiopia.