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Free Zimbabwe protests target Mozambique
22 Aug 2012 at 05:23hrs | Views
Free Zimbabwe Global protests, organized monthly by the 21st Movement and MDC-T structures, continued on Tuesday, with activists in London targeting the Mozambique High Commission this time.
The monthly demonstrations call for the full implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) facilitated by SADC leaders, ahead of any elections in Zimbabwe. Civic groups also support the movement.
Tuesday's protests were the eighth since the campaign started. Den Moyo, the global co-ordinator for the 21st Movement, told SW Radio Africa that Mozambique was targeted this time as they are taking over as the new Chair of the regional SADC grouping.
"We wanted to send a message to President Armando Guebuza of Mozambique, that we as Zimbabweans want him to continue on a path that produces a roadmap to free and fair elections in the country," Moyo said.
He added that petitions were to be handed to officials at the Mozambican embassies during demonstrations in South Africa, Australia and Washington D.C. "The premise of our organisation was to identify and highlight areas that we needed to advocate or put pressure on," Moyo explained.
The London based Zimbabwe Vigil group, who are partners in the protests, on Tuesday submitted a letter for President Armando Guebuza at the Embassy, urging him as the new SADC chairman "to give priority to dealing with the dangerous situation in Zimbabwe in the run-up to next year's crucial elections".
"We are pleased to see that the summit in Maputo reaffirmed the decisions already taken on Zimbabwe, but we see little evidence of urgency in the summit resolutions, particularly in preparing the ground so that the elections will be free and fair," the Vigil letter said.
The demonstrations have been taking place outside Zimbabwean and South African embassies and consulates around the world.
Earlier protests have mostly targeted South Africa, as the mediator in the ongoing political crisis in Zimbabwe. The aim was to pressure chief negotiator President Jacob Zuma to ensure a peaceful atmosphere ahead of the elections, expected next year.
The sixth round focused on Zambia, to highlight what organizers said were disturbing comments on Zimbabwe made by President Michael Sata. The Zambian leader had suggested no reforms were needed in Zimbabwe before a fresh poll.
The monthly demonstrations call for the full implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) facilitated by SADC leaders, ahead of any elections in Zimbabwe. Civic groups also support the movement.
Tuesday's protests were the eighth since the campaign started. Den Moyo, the global co-ordinator for the 21st Movement, told SW Radio Africa that Mozambique was targeted this time as they are taking over as the new Chair of the regional SADC grouping.
"We wanted to send a message to President Armando Guebuza of Mozambique, that we as Zimbabweans want him to continue on a path that produces a roadmap to free and fair elections in the country," Moyo said.
He added that petitions were to be handed to officials at the Mozambican embassies during demonstrations in South Africa, Australia and Washington D.C. "The premise of our organisation was to identify and highlight areas that we needed to advocate or put pressure on," Moyo explained.
"We are pleased to see that the summit in Maputo reaffirmed the decisions already taken on Zimbabwe, but we see little evidence of urgency in the summit resolutions, particularly in preparing the ground so that the elections will be free and fair," the Vigil letter said.
The demonstrations have been taking place outside Zimbabwean and South African embassies and consulates around the world.
Earlier protests have mostly targeted South Africa, as the mediator in the ongoing political crisis in Zimbabwe. The aim was to pressure chief negotiator President Jacob Zuma to ensure a peaceful atmosphere ahead of the elections, expected next year.
The sixth round focused on Zambia, to highlight what organizers said were disturbing comments on Zimbabwe made by President Michael Sata. The Zambian leader had suggested no reforms were needed in Zimbabwe before a fresh poll.
Source - swradio
