Europe shouldn't tell us about women, says Mugabe

ZIMBABWE president and soon-to-be-elected African Union chairperson, Robert Mugabe, said the representation of women in European parliaments isn't good enough to warrant them advising Africans about the issue, news24 reported.

Mugabe was door-stopped by a contingent of journalists on the sidelines of a meeting by the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad) at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa Thursday afternoon.

Asked about women empowerment, the theme of this year's African Union summit, Mugabe said: "We [Africans] will talk to ourselves about women."

He said women were not that well-represented in parliaments around Europe yet.

Rumours of ill-health
Mugabe also said women in Africa should get paid maternity leave.

Mugabe's wife, Grace, shot to power last year after she was elected leader of Zanu-PF's women's wing.

She is reported to be recuperating from a medical operation in the Far East while her husband attends the AU summit in Addis this week.

Despite a resurfacing of rumours of ill-health, the 90-year-old Mugabe looked youthful and strong as he spoke to journalists this morning.

Mugabe is expected to be elected chairperson during the two-day AU assembly, which is set to start tomorrow. The chairpersonship is a rotating position held for one year.

Mugabe was seated next to SA President Jacob Zuma during the Nepad meeting, and the two were the centre of attention for photographers and cameramen as the meeting started.