“We are not gays” Mugabe tells UN General Assembly

By Harriet Alexander

UNITED STATES – Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe strayed from his script in startling fashion on Monday evening, and blurted out: “We are not gays” during his UN General Assembly speech.

The 91-year-old used his speech to criticise the UN for its “archaic” organisation which, he argued, excluded the poorest countries. He criticised EU sanctions against his country, and voiced his anger at the Security Council’s failure to represent developing nations.

But it was during a section in which he criticised the UN for trying to impose human rights rules on countries that he made the off-the-cuff comments.

“We reject the politicisation of this important issue and the application of double standards to victimise those who think and act independently of the self-anointed prefects of our time,” he said.

“We equally reject attempts to prescribe ‘new rights’ which are contrary to our values, norms, traditions and beliefs.”

He then blurted out: “We are not gays!”

Homosexuality is illegal in Zimbabwe, and Mr Mugabe has made no secret of his distain for homosexuals. When the American Supreme Court ruled in favour of gay marriage, Mr Mugabe said he would propose to President Barack Obama.

“I’ve just concluded since President Obama endorses the same-sex marriage, advocates homosexual people and enjoys an attractive countenance – thus if it becomes necessary, I shall travel to Washington, DC, get down on my knee and ask his hand,” he said.

“I can’t understand how this people dare to defy Christ’s explicit orders as our Lord prohibited mankind from sodomy,” he added. The Telegraph