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The President who was officially opening the ongoing Conference of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa, also called for the beneficiation of Africa’s resources to increase value and support industrialisation.

He however, decried the conflict situations in Africa saying they were costing the continent $18 billion annually.

“It is time for Africa to be proactive in using her resources for her developmental objectives bearing in mind that African resources have, hitherto, been predominantly foreign-owned and exploited, with little benefit to Africans.

‘Additionally our resources have, until now, been exploited primarily as raw materials with very little beatification taking place,” he said.

The conference is running under the theme, The nexus between Africa’s Natural Resources, Development and Security.

President Mugabe also urged African countries to be united in resolving their domestic affairs without outside interference.