President feels the love in Mali

Whichever way one chooses to describe him, Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe is somewhat an enigma.

While some obscure opposition somnambulists were busy protesting his presence on the Eve of Zambia’s presidential inauguration in January 2015, over 40 000 other Zambians embraced him, making him their own, like a son who had stayed away from home for far too long, earning himself stockpiles of compensatory love, which duly came in bounteous proportions at Heroes Stadium.

In April 2015, his name hardly escaped the lips of his most venomous critics in South Africa, as he charmed them, effortlessly turning them into gourds of sweet-smelling prose.

And last Friday, he proved he is a true African hero, nay, a living legend celebrated across the continent, as the Malians gave him a thunderous reception at their peace signing ceremony here in Bamako.

The story began with President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita dispatching his special envoy Mr Abdoulaye Diop to Harare to invite the African Union Chair to the ceremony.

President Mugabe accepted the invitation, despite his long haul from Russia only a day before.

And so he flew into Bamako on Thursday evening and literally into President Keita’s brotherly embrace.

The Malian leader was visibly moved, something he would confirm yesterday.

The mannerisms said it all. A glance here and there; an affectionate tug on President Mugabe’s arm — President Keita was, no doubt, warm to his compatriot’s presence.

The sweltering temperatures in Bamako were palpable. Not even a bottle of ice cold water offered respite.

In the north, the heat was more searing with the uncertainty of peace.

Tuareg separatists sparked war there in 2012 while clamouring for greater autonomy.

However, Friday’s peace signing gave Malians high expectations of a return to peace, and President Mugabe’s presence seemed to offer them greater comfort.

They gave him a thunderous reception when he arrived for the ceremony and a standing ovation followed moments later when he was introduced.

President Mugabe went on to deliver probably one of his most emotional statements, urging unity and even reaching out the rebels who absconded.

He recounted the history of Mali’s unity with Ghana and Guinea-Conakry. He reminded them of their iconic founding President Modibo Keita’s vision of unity. He preached love and he promised to pray for peace in that country.

In the end, it was an emotional delivery that almost moved one to tears. A standing ovation from the packed auditorium was evidence of the statement’s depth.

It had come from the heart and touched other hearts.

President Keita remarked to his counterpart: “You saw yesterday how the Malian people were expecting you.”

President Mugabe replied: “Well, they are our people, and I am glad about that.”

And yes, most of Africa is glad to have him.