December 11, 2007 (LPAC)--In response to German Chancellor Angela Merkel's attack on Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, at the just-concluded European Union-African Union summit in Lisbon, Zimbabwe's Minister of Information, Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, told the Zimbabwe Herald that Germany needs a leader like Otto Von Bismarck, who fought for unification and the eradication of injustices. "She needs to read German history and be orientated," he said of Chancellor Merkel.

Ndlovu said that in Lisbon, the former colonial masters were still treating Africa as an extension of Europe. He said the Europeans were scared of the fact that China-Africa trade ties have grown extensively. "They should know that Africa is free and independent," he said, "and governments make their own decisions about their countries' political and economic affairs."

Upon return from the summit, Zimbabwe's President Mugabe himself said: "We defeated the British, we were the victors over the British. What is Britain after all? They think the empire runs. There is no empire to talk about." Mugabe also addressed the broader issue of the summit saying, "The summit was discussing cooperation between Africa and Europe, so that we help each other develop our countries. It was not a meeting to discuss Zimbabwe, but you just heard `Mugabe, Mugabe, Mugabe,' and I said this is not my meeting, but it's for Africa and the EU."