https://www.flickr.com/photos/
Thanks to those who came today: Blessing Harry, Jonathan Kariwo, Chantelle Manyande, Philip Maponga, Mellisa Marewangepo, Ziwanai Mbanje and Ephraim Tapa. Photos: https://www.
During the vigil meet, activists took time to reflect on President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s statement to the Liberation Movements Summit recently held in South Africa. In a video, Mr Mnangagwa is heard calling to other liberation movements: ‘we must not allow ourselves to lose power’.
This statement said it all to vigil activists. It meant that ZANU PF would continue to cling to power, even against the people’s will. It meant that to oppose ZANU PF would be akin to looking for trouble, including death.
It meant that ruling liberation movements, many of which constitute SADC, would not be helpful to Zimbabwe, particularly when elections were clearly stolen and the electorate subdued through violence and intimidation.
Mnangagwa’s statement served to encourage ruling liberation movements within SADC to continue to retain power by hook or by crook, even if it meant eliminating perceived opponents. Such statements were so backward that they could only drag the region, and with it Africa, to the dark ages.
Activists felt vindicated and emboldened: vowing to continue with the fight for democracy and human rights regardless.
For Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/
Events and Notices:
- Next Vigil meeting outside the Zimbabwe Embassy. Saturday 6th September from 2 – 5 pm. We meet on the first and third Saturdays of every month. On other Saturdays the virtual Vigil will run.
- The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organisation based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organisation on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe.
- The Vigil’s book ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’ is based on our weekly diaries. It records how events in Zimbabwe have unfolded as seen by the diaspora in the UK. It chronicles the economic disintegration, violence, growing oppression and political manoeuvring – and the tragic human cost involved. It is available at the Vigil. All proceeds go to the Vigil and our sister organisation the Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe’s work in Zimbabwe. The book is also available from Amazon.
- Facebook pages:
- Vigil : https ://www.facebook.
com/zimbabwevigil - ROHR: https://www.facebook.
com/Restoration-of-Human- Rights-ROHR-Zimbabwe- International-370825706588551/ - ZAF: https://www.facebook.com/
pages/Zimbabwe-Action-Forum- ZAF/490257051027515
The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London meets regularly on Saturdays from 14.00 to 17.00 to protest against gross violations of human rights in Zimbabwe. The Vigil which started in October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe.
Post published in: Featured