Zambian President Michael Sata blames Europe for African wars

Brussels, 5 April-2014(Xinhua): Zambian President Michael Sata took a swipe at European countries and blamed them for the conflicts taking place on the African continent, the Post of Zambia reported on Friday.

Zambian President Michael Sata blames Europe for African wars

Europe Simulator
PRESIDENT Michael Sata arrives at the venue of the EU-Africa Heads of State Summit in Brussels yesterday. Picture by EDDIE MWANALEZA-STATE HOUSE

The Zambian leader, during the just-ended European Union (EU) – Africa Summit in Brussels, also accused European countries of playing double-standards.

The 76-year old Zambian leader told European countries that Africa did not have gun factories that fuel conflicts and that it was Europe that was guilty of conflicts on the continent because of manufacturing guns used in conflicts.

“The guns are manufactured here,” he was quoted as saying by the paper.

According to him, most of the poor child soldiers involved in conflicts in Africa were carrying guns made from Europe which costs thousands of money, adding that the poor children could not afford money to buy such weapons.

Meanwhile Sata said his government attaches great importance to the issue of good governance and democracy which he said were key for fostering prosperity and development.

Good governance, he said, promotes accountability, transparency, efficiency and rule of law in public administrations at all levels.

“The Zambian government has put in place a comprehensive policy and legal and institutional framework to curb corruption and abuse of public resources. I have confidence in my government’s zero tolerance for corruption and abuse of public resources,” he added.