President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said that minerals in Zimbabwe were the real reason why the international community has sour relations with the Southern African country.
Addressing delegates at the inaugural Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners Conference organised by the Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation (ZMF) in Gweru, Mnangagwa said:
This country, which is between Zambezi and Limpopo rivers, is so blessed. We are rich in minerals; we have a number of minerals including rare earth minerals.
Only China is the second country to have rare earth minerals. But being rich in these minerals is the reason why we are in serious trouble with our detractors.
The president’s remarks come immediately after the country embarked on an anti-sanctions march which was hugely criticised by the Western Community who argue that sanctions can only be removed after the government has implemented reforms.
The ZANU PF government argues that the sanctions and other restrictions on the country were a strategy by the Western states, including the USA and the UK to corner Zimbabwe into surrendering her resources including land.
More: The Herald