Chamisa blasts Mnangagwa over Museveni invite

Published: 25 April 2019

MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has slammed President Emmerson Mnangagwa for inviting Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to officially open this year's Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo on Friday.

Chamisa was addressing the media at his party's headquarters Wednesday.

"I don't know why Mr Mnangagwa chose Mr Museveni to be in trade with him. We don't know perhaps it's a way of confirming that he belongs to a club of dictators because Mr Museveni's behaviour in his own country leaves a lot to be desired," said the opposition leader.

Museveni, Uganda's sole ruler since 1986, has been accused of rights abuses in his bid to maintain control of the East African country.

Lately, his government has come under fire for arresting firebrand musician Bobi Wine for allegedly failing to comply with safety precautions ahead of a concert he had organised.

Because of that, Chamisa felt the Ugandan strongman's invitation to Zimbabwe was in bad taste.

"The choice of friends defines the man's character and we are worried that Mr Mnangagwa invited Mr Museveni at a time when he is terrorising his own opposition.

"Bobi Wine, my dear friend, is being terrorised. I'm told that he has been arrested. He has been arrested several times. That kind behaviour is not acceptable on the African continent.

"We don't take it lightly whenever dictators come in cahoots or in unison. We have an obligation to fight them.

"We don't take it lightly Mr Museveni coming to our country to just come and grace the trade fair with yet another trade of dictatorship, with yet another trade union of people who oppress their own citizens, an alternative voice of on the continent of Africa.

"…Why should he invite questionable credentials unless you are confirming that you are just calling the boys from the same hood to try and send a particular message on the continent."
- newzimbabwe