AN EMOTIONAL President Robert Mugabe said Sunday the death of his sister robbed him of one of his closest friends and allies in his lifelong fight against colonial era rule and Western dominance in Africa.
In an angry address at the state funeral of Sabina Mugabe, 80, President Mugabe attacked the West and said after his sister's death Thursday he will not abandon their cause.
"To hell" with Europeans and Americans opposed to his rule, he said. "We say to hell, hell, hell with them. They will not decide who is going to lead the people of Zimbabwe."
U.S. Ambassador Charles Ray left the funeral during Mugabe's address, but later refused to comment on his action.
Sabina Mugabe retired from Parliament in 2008 after a lifetime in politics alongside Mugabe. She was buried at Heroes Acre, a national shrine for loyalist politicians and fallen guerrillas from the liberation war that ended white rule in Zimbabwe in 1980.
The European Union and the United States slapped financial sanctions on state firms and travel restrictions on Mugabe and dozens of his associates nearly 10 years ago after a violent re-election campaign and at the start of sometimes violent seizures of white-owned commercial farms for black resettlement.
Since Mugabe signed a power sharing deal which made his opposition rivals Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, respectively, Zimbabwe has campaigned for the lifting of the sanctions.
Mugabe said a "European-American clique" imposed sanctions for their own reasons.
"Europe and America want to keep these odious sanctions. We are still being treated as if we don't own this country. They want to tell us, do A, B and C of that, remove so-and-so and they are now saying Mugabe must go first," he said. "Whoever told them that their will is above that of the people of Zimbabwe?"
Mourned ... Supporters hold banners next to Sabina Mugabe's casket
Devastated ... Sabina Mugabe's sons Leo, Kelvin, Patrick and Robert
Mugabe said his Zanu PF party was committed to a black empowerment programme designed to increase black ownership across all sectors of the economy.
"This is the fight we must fight in an all-Zimbabwe way," he said.
Sabina Mugabe was among those barred from Western countries. Western governments argue Mugabe has not done enough to honour the power sharing agreement to restore law and order and bring about sweeping democratic reforms.
Mugabe's sister retired from active politics in 2005 after she suffered a stroke but she remained a constant force at Mugabe's side and remained in Parliament.
The death Thursday of Robert Mugabe's most trusted family confidante and associate is a severe blow to the ascetic 86-year-old president, who is often seen as having few close friends or trusted advisors.