Zimbabwe foreign minister stranded in Mali

2012-03-24 16:59

Special Report

Chinese call for stability in Zimbabwe

Chinese vice premier Wang Yang has urged Zimbabwe to ensure peace and political stability ahead of elections this year.

Harare - Zimbabwean Foreign Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi and two other government officials are stranded in Mali because of the coup in the west African country, the government spokesperson said on Saturday.

"I can confirm the minister and two officials from his ministry are in Mali," George Charamba told AFP. "He has touched base and indicated that they are safe. He is in a hotel which cannot be named for security reasons."

Charamba said Mumbengegwi was in Mali to attend an African Union meeting on peace and security in the Sahel region and could not leave Bamako as the country's borders were sealed and airports closed following the coup.

He said Mumbengegwi was in the same hotel with other foreign ministers whom he could not identify.

Kenyan Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula was also stranded by the coup, his government said on Thursday.

Coup leaders in Mali on Thursday ordered all borders closed after taking over key buildings in Bamako and ousting President Amadou Toumani Toure, sparking international concern and condemnation.

"The situation is expected to become normal in the coming days and we expect Minister Mumbengegwi to arrive back home early next week," the state-owned Herald newspaper quoted Charamba as saying.

- SAPA

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