Ebrahim Raisi mentioned Western nations had been “in opposition to nationwide inheritance and tradition.”
Kampala, Uganda:
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi started criticizing Western attitudes in direction of homosexuality on Wednesday throughout a go to to Uganda, which has simply launched the world’s hardest anti-gay legal guidelines.
Raisi, on a mission to strengthen ties on the primary African go to by an Iranian chief in 11 years, slammed Western powers at a press convention with President Yoweri Museveni after a gathering with Uganda’s veteran chief.
“Western nations immediately try to unfold the thought of homosexuality and by selling homosexuality they’re making an attempt to finish a technology of humanity,” Raisi introduced.
Museveni signed the invoice into legislation on May 29, sparking outrage from Western nations in addition to human rights teams, the United Nations and LGBTQ activists.
The new legislation makes “aggravated sodomy” a capital crime, and consensual same-sex relationships carry a most penalty of life in jail.
Raisi advised a information convention that Western nations had been “in opposition to our nationwide inheritance and tradition.”
The Iranian chief additionally provided Museveni assist for a serious undertaking to construct refineries and pipelines within the nation, a plan opposed by environmental teams and led to lawsuits in France and criticism within the European Parliament. uncovered to
Raisi mentioned that whereas the Iranian authorities is prepared to share its expertise within the oil business, Western nations are “typically not fascinated with nations having fun with nice assets and nationwide reserves turning into impartial.” .
The go to comes because the Islamic Republic seeks to step up diplomatic assist to ease its worldwide isolation, and Raisi is scheduled to go to Zimbabwe on Thursday.
He met Kenyan President William Ruto in Nairobi early Wednesday morning and mentioned his go to to the East African powerhouse marked a “turning level within the growth of relations” between the 2 nations.
He then flew to the Ugandan metropolis of Entebbe, the place he was welcomed with a gun salute and a navy parade, public broadcaster UBC reported.
He is scheduled to fulfill along with his Zimbabwean counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday.
Africa has emerged as a diplomatic battleground in latest months, with Russia and Western powers vying for assist over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, which has had a devastating impression on the continent and despatched meals costs hovering.
Western nations are additionally in search of to deepen commerce ties with the continent, with India and China actively investing in infrastructure in Africa.
Raisi mentioned the assembly with Ruto mirrored the “dedication and resolve of each nations in direction of increasing financial and commerce cooperation, political cooperation and cultural cooperation.”
Ruto described Iran as an “essential strategic associate” and mentioned the 2 nations had signed 5 memorandums of understanding, together with in info expertise, funding, fisheries and different areas.
“These MoUs will strengthen and additional deepen bilateral relations in direction of sustainable development and growth,” he mentioned.
Ruto advised reporters that Raisi additionally shared Iran’s plans to arrange a manufacturing unit within the port metropolis of Mombasa “to fabricate autos indigenous to Iran,” which can embody the identify “Kifal”, which suggests rhino in Swahili. ”.
～“Common political opinions”～
Iran’s state-run IRNA information company mentioned Raisi’s delegation additionally included the overseas minister and senior businessmen.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Qanani expressed optimism that the go to might assist strengthen financial and commerce ties with African nations.
He additionally mentioned on Monday that the Iranian authorities and the African continent share “frequent political opinions,” with out offering additional particulars.
Iran has stepped up diplomacy in latest months to interrupt its isolation and offset the impression of crippling sanctions reimposed for the reason that US withdrew from a hard-negotiated nuclear deal in 2018.
On Saturday, Raisi welcomed Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Ataf in a bid to strengthen ties with Algeria.
Last week, Iran turned a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which incorporates Russia, China and India.
In March, the Iranian authorities agreed to revive relations with regional rival Saudi Arabia underneath a deal brokered by China. It has since sought to rebuild relations with different nations within the area, together with Egypt and Morocco.
Raisi toured Latin America, together with Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba, earlier than touring to Indonesia in June.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
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