By Sanday Chongo Kabange, AfricaNews
LUSAKA, 23 April 2010: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad began a visit to Zimbabwe on Thursday condemned by President Robert Mugabe’s opponents as a meeting of despots which could further isolate Harare. The Iranian leader is in the southern African country to open an annual trade fair.
Ahmadinejad, whose government is pursuing a nuclear programme despite threats of more United Nations sanctions, was described by the opposition as a “war-monger, a trampler of human rights [and] an executioner”.
There was no official indication of any link between the two-day visit and Iran’s nuclear programme, but Zimbabwe does hold uranium deposits which have yet to be exploited.
Reports out of Harare said Ahmadinejad’s visit was part of a drive to strengthen ties between countries at odds with the West.
The outspoken Iran leader is expected to visit Uganda among other unknown African countries where the country has extensive dealings.
Ahmadinejad was met at Harare’s international airport by Mugabe, cabinet ministers and diplomats, amid singing and chants from hundreds of Zimbabwean Muslims waving Iranian flags.
