We please ourselves – Mnangagwa tells delegates at World Governments Summit following questions about relationship with China
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa got himself a rare round of applause on Wednesday, after telling delegates at the ongoing World Governments Summit that Zimbabwe will not please the West or East but itself when it comes to exploitation of its resources.
Responding to questions on how he compared Zimbabwe’s relationship with the West to its experience with the East in the past 150 years, asked by session host Tucker Carlson, Mnangagwa said, despite it being a former British colony, Zimbabwe was happy with contributions from countries such as China towards its development.
He was speaking on a panel that had Botswana President Duma Boko, Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, at one of the event venues in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
With issues of exploitation and abuse of Africans at the hands of Chinese nationals that are doing business on the continent rising, the West is working its way to not only re-establish influence but also upstage China in the resource race.
“Initially, as we became independent, most of our development thrust was from the West but as we evolved, we have also benefited from investment and cooperation from countries like China.
“Zimbabwe is a sovereign state, we move on the basis that these are the best results of our resources, whether in relation to the West or East.
“What is primarily important is what we as Zimbabweans are satisfied with. We do not need to please the East or West, we please ourselves,” said Mnangagwa to applause, which he missed at various United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) addresses.
Zimbabwe boasts of Africa’s largest lithium reserves, ranking among the world’s top deposits, with proven reserves estimated at around 310,000 metric tons.
This is the main resource used in the production of new-age lithium batteries and electric vehicles.
Its gold deposits, numbering over 4,000, are also considered as some of the richest in the world.
Added Mnangagwa: “Relations cannot be measured country by country, they depend on the historical background of countries, that is the basis on which they grow and are nurtured.
“We are a former British colony, but we are very happy with the relations that have developed between us and countries such as China, despite being a former British colony.”
The World Governments Summit is an annual event held since 2013 in Dubai, bringing together government leaders for a global dialogue with a focus on issues of futurism, technology and innovation.
