From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Wed Feb 25 2009 - 15:36:57 EST
Iran urges Africa to reject Western exploitation
Wed Feb 25, 2009 3:53pm GMT
By Wangui Kanina
MOMBASA, Kenya, Feb 25 (Reuters) - African nations must stand up for
themselves when confronted by Western countries wanting to exploit their raw
materials, the Iranian president said on Wednesday during a visit to Kenya.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was mobbed by thousands of Shia Muslims chanting "Allah
u Akbar" (God is great), as he arrived to give a speech in a field in the
sweltering port of Mombasa.
"Western countries have for years oppressed African states, exploited
Africa's natural resources," he said.
Iran is a leading importer of Kenyan tea and is helping with several major
projects aimed at upgrading the energy sector and infrastructure of east
Africa's biggest economy.
Kenya is a key ally in the United States' "war on terror".
But that has not dampened its relations with Iran, which Ahmadinejad told
the crowd had now become closer than ever.
Ahmadinejad arrived in Kenya late on Tuesday and signed bilateral agreements
with Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki on water supply, oil and direct flights
between the two countries.
On Wednesday, the Iranian leader flew to Mombasa and was due to leave later
for Djibouti, en route to Comoros. In Mombasa, many men struggled with
security guards to try to touch him.
"Can you imagine? The President of Iran greeted me! God is surely coming
down to earth," said one boy, 13-year-old Suleiman, grinning as he pushed
his bicycle home after following the Iranian delegation to Kenya's
historical Fort Jesus site.
Another teenager fought with security, shouting: "This is a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, you cannot stop me." Many were stunned when
the diminutive leader kissed the feet of an elder.
"So humble," whispered one local woman in admiration. (Editing by Daniel
Wallis)
C Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved
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