Mugabe confirmed during a visit to Mozambique last week that he would attend the summit, the first between the 53 African nations and 27 EU countries since 2000.
There are growing fears Mugabe would be a security risk at Lisbon because political and human rights activists are set to descend on the Portuguese capital for demonstrations. It is understood Mugabe wanted to beef up his security but the hosts insisted they would disarm any bodyguards in line with normal procedures for visiting leaders.
Manuel Lobo Antunness, European Affairs minister for Portugal, which holds the rotating EU presidency said: “What I can say is that the Portuguese government has organised adequate security for each visiting head of state. We are aware some heads of state will attract more attention than others … we will take appropriate action to ensure tighter security.”
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who, together with his deputies had earlier threatened to boycott the summit if Mugabe attended, made a volte face this week following delicate diplomatic manoeuvring, and said he would now send Baroness Amos, Britain’s first black Cabinet minister who also served as Africa Minister from 2001 to 2003.
Diplomatic sources said Baroness Amos was expected to voice criticism of Mugabe during a session on governance and human rights.
Diplomats opposed to Mugabe’s attendance said it was pointless to invite the 83-year-old guerilla leader to Lisbon because he was now beyond the reach of customary diplomacy and reasonable political dialogue.
Last month, Member of the European Parliament, Geoffrey Van Orden, accused him of turning the “Switzerland of southern Africa into a terminal cot case”, adding he was a “dangerous, malicious, and aged dictator”. Branding him a “wily bastard,” a senior diplomat called for the banning of Mugabe from the get-together. – Chief reporter
Post published in: News