Mugabe Is An African Hero: Whether The West Likes It Or Not He'll Chair AU � Kwesi Pratt

Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has lauded President Robert Mugabe's appointment as chairman of the African Union (AU) and described him as a “Hero of Africa”.

The 90-year-old Zimbabwe leader replaced Mauritania’s Mohammed Ould Abdel Aziz but the western world have raised concern about Mugabe’s appointment whiles others believe he is a dictator.

But speaking on Radio Gold’s "Alhaji and Alhaji" programme, the veteran journalist rubbished the western perception about the long serving African leaders especially Robert Mugabe.

“Who says that Mugabe is a dictator? Barack Obama, President of the United States of America has killed thousands of people around the world with many strikes. Did he consult his people? Did he go to congress? So what makes Mugabe a dictator?” he asked.

Adding that, “Mugabe is highly qualified to chair the AU like any other African Head of State is qualified to chair the AU”.

Kwesi Pratt however questioned that, “The Queen of England is much older than Mugabe. The Queen of England has been on the throne for much longer than Mugabe, why are we not discussing that?”

“…You also have to understand that Mugabe is an African hero. He is one of the pioneers of African liberation along with Nelson Mandela, along with Kwame Nkrumah...these are the heroes of Africa. Whether they [the western] like it or not Mugabe is very popular".