Harare (New Ziana) –Zimbabweans should be able to overcome the challenges that they are facing if they remain united and not allow petty political differences to divide them, President Aleksandr Lukashenko said on Tuesday.
He said Zimbabweans should not be deceived by Western countries that preach illusory principles of democracy while seeking to take control of the country and exploit its vast resources.
“The reason for imposing sanctions on Zimbabwe was not democracy but to block foreign investment to your country,” he said.
“They want to bring your country to its knees because of your decision to take control of your resources. That is the reason for the sanctions.”
President Lukashenko said Zimbabweans should view the sanctions imposed by Western countries as a blessing and not a curse, as they had spurred the country to seek alternative markets around the world.
“Zimbabwe is now trading with Belarus,” he said.
“If it were not for the sanctions Zimbabwe would still be trading with the West.”
He said as the country moved closer to the harmonised elections, it was going to witness more concerted efforts by Western countries to sow divisions among the citizens and to strangle the economy in order to bring the country to its knees.
President Lukashenko urged Zimbabweans to be resilient and not buckle under the pressure of the pressure of sanctions and other machinations of the detractors.
“Zimbabwe is like a miracle story with all the necessary mineral resources necessary for economic development, that is why nobody will let you leave peacefully,” he said.
He said Zimbabwe risked returning under colonisation if the people allowed minor political differences to divide them.
“Preserve peace in your country. Avoid confrontation otherwise you will get under colonial rule once again. Do not let that happen.”
“I hope you make the right choices in the forthcoming elections and show the world that you deserve your independence. Belarus will always be ready to assist you.”
Speaking at the same occasion, President Mnangagwa said Zanu PF was confident of winning the forthcoming harmonised elections, which he said were likely to be held in July this year.
He said since independence, Zimbabwe President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe was prepared to work with any country in the world which respected its sovereignty and independence and not treat it as an inferior partner.
“We will embrace Belarus and any other country but on the perception of a horse and a rider,” he said.
“It is either are all horses or we are all riders.”
President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe had not omitted to hold elections when they were due, and his party Zanu PF has been winning all the time.
“We have been winning and we shall continue winning them,” he said.
“Zanu PF is extremely confident that we are going to win those forthcoming elections.”
New Ziana
