Mugabe's visit to Japan will add value to Zimbabwe

Recently, President Robert Mugabe attended the United Nations 3rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction which is being held in Sendai, Japan. This visit will add value to Zimbabwe and the entire continent of Africa which is currently food scarcity disaster because of poor rains.

A disaster is sudden event, such as an accident or a natural catastrophe that causes great damage or loss of life. Thorough planning should be done so as to lessen such unexpected events that normally cause consequences. Disasters normally cause devastating impacts such as displacement of population, healthy risks, food scarcity as well as emotional aftershocks.

It is sad to note that, last year, a number of families were affected by floods after heavy, torrential rains caused partial collapse of the Tokwe-Murkosi dam in Zimbabwe's Masvingo area. Disasters like that need a lot of preparedness as these may cause a loss of property and human life.

Due to low rainfalls that most parts of the country received this year, the country might encounter food scarcity; hence, the country must be prepared enough to overcome such kind of calamities. It is commended that the Japanese government, through their Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, pledged $ 2.5million to Zimbabwe for disaster risk preparedness and management.

The endorsement of the Look-East-Policy in 2003 by government was done so as to strengthen ties with most Eastern states. Just like China, Japan is one of the eastern countries that have potential to support Zimbabwean government on its developmental programmes. For Zimbabwe Agenda for Socio-Sustainable Economic Transformation (Zim-Asset) to bear fruits, the economic plan needs adequate funding.

The relationship between China and the forces supporting the Zimbabwe government has been constant and solid since before independence. The fact that China disapproves the imposition of sanctions by the western countries because it curtails the sovereignty of Zimbabwe, tells it all that this eastern state is an all weather friend.  

Recently, China donated 5400 tonnes of rice to Zimbabwe. This positive move by China will assist most Zimbabweans who experienced dry spell this farming season in most areas countrywide. Reports are that this rice will be distributed to registered institutions such as vulnerable children, the elderly people and people living with disabilities.

President Mugabe also attacked the westerners for their continued efforts of enhancing regime change in the country. The western states have been trying to siphon mineral resources and land that belongs to the majority indigenous Zimbabweans.

"Western countries didn't want to deal with us. It's only now they are coming forward, but we don't go down and kneel." President Mugabe said.

President Mugabe emphasized that African countries should not be labourers in their own land; instead they should be the owners of their own economy. Africa is a continent vast with resources, hence, Africans should benefit from them.

"They [West] want things done their own way... They want regime change in Zimbabwe. They want me to go, them and not my people," said the President.

President Mugabe who is also the chairman of African Union (AU) urged the African continent to "build" resistance against the west.

On his AU chairmanship acceptance speech, President Mugabe noted that his main thrust is to ensure that the Agenda 2063 if fully employed. Agenda 2063 is a road map of developmental programmes which Africa as an integrated continent is determined to carry out over the next 50 years. This road map recognizes that key to develop the continent, is to be certain that Africa has to benefit from its own natural resources.