Mugabe calls for Africa-wide high-speed train
ZIMBABWE’S President Robert Mugabe has called for the development of an African highspeed train to help promote regional integration on the continent.
Addressing a meeting of African heads of state in Sandton yesterday, Mugabe said the African Union — of which he is chairman — needed to pass a resolution allowing for the construction of a continentwide rail line to be used by the train.
“I implore the entire African leadership to ensure that the implementation of mega-programmes and projects under the first 10-year plan of Agenda 63 are expedited . . . such as continental free-trade areas, a single aviation authority and high-speed train network,” Mugabe said.
South Africa is the only subSaharan African country with a high-speed train.
Two years ago, Nigeria an- nounced plans to introduce its own version of the Gautrain, which would travel between the commercial capital, Lagos, and the administrative capital, Abuja. The two cities are more than 700km apart.
Mugabe also called on the meeting to come up with “viable” strategies to promote African industrialisation.
Speaking at the same meeting, President Jacob Zuma praised past AU leaders who helped establish the New Partnership for Africa’s Development. He said Africa was a better place because of that project.
Heads of state were expected to meet last night to discuss peace and security matters, with the unrest in Burundi, Nigeria, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic expected to dominate.
A number of proposals were expected to be discussed today and tomorrow, including:
Free-trade zones;
Introduction of a single currency and passport; and
Reviewing the funding of the AU.
Migration was also expected to produce heated discussions among heads of state, with the xenophobic attacks that took place in Durban and Johannesburg recently still fresh in delegates’ minds.
Delegates said the issue had been discussed throughout the summit this week.
“We condemned the incidents, but we did not condemn the actions of the South African government,” said a diplomat from Somalia.
“The media blew the issue out of proportion. There were few incidents.
“The Somalis who live in South Africa whom we have spoken to say it is the most peaceful country and the people are very friendly.”