President Robert Mugabe deviated from his prepared speech at the UN general assembly in New York on Monday, while discussing human rights.
The Zimbabwean used his time to solidify his anti-LGBT stance, whilst making a traditionalist rant, shouting: "We are not gays" during his section.
It's currently illegal to be homosexual in the 91-year-old's country and the long-time leader frequently makes homophobic comments. Last year he referred to same-sex relationships as “inhuman."
President of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe addresses the United Nations General Assembly on September 28, 2015 in New York City
To begin his speech on the issue Mugabe began: “Respecting and upholding human rights is the obligation of all states."
He continued: “Nowhere does the [United Nations Charter] abrogate the right of some to sit in judgment over others in carrying out this universal obligation,” rejecting what he called “politicisation” and “double standards.”
"We equally reject attempts to prescribe new rights that are contrary to our values, norms, traditions, and beliefs." He then interjected: "We are not gays" receiving laughs from the audience.
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During the 2013 elections in Zimbabwe, Mugabe used the spectre of same-sex marriage to rally support against his opponent, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, according to Buzzfeed.
While western nations such as the United Kingdom and the US have made strides in expanding rights for LGBT people, most recently with the U.S. Supreme Court decision in June legalising same-sex marriage, many areas in sub-Saharan African have been moving in the opposite direction.
According to the IBS, it is not unusual for more than 80 percent of a population to consider homosexuality to be morally unacceptable.