Globetrotting Mugabe back from Mali

GLOBETROTTING President Robert Mugabe is back home from Mali where he had attended the signing of a peace deal between the Malian government and Tuareg rebel forces at the invitation of Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

THE presence of African Union chairman President Robert Mugabe in Bamako, Mali, is testament that Africa stands behind the Malian government's bid to establish durable peace in its country, Burundi's former President Pierre Buyoya has said.

The trip comes just as he returned from Russia where he witnessed that country's 70th anniversary to commemorate the defeat of Nazi Germany's Adolf Hitler during the World War 2.

Mugabe is travelling to Bamako in his capacity as the chair of the African Union (AU) after receiving an invitation from Keita through Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko, the acting president.
 
Mugabe was met at the Harare International Airport by the two vice presidents, Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko, Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi, Zanu-PF National Spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo, Harare Province Minister of State Mirriam Chikukwa, senior government officials and service chiefs.