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Protesters stranded after Auxillia Mnangagwa skips London summit
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Zimbabwe's First Lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa, was notably absent from the First Ladies of Africa Impact and Resilience (FLAIR) Summit in London on Tuesday, following mounting pressure from activists and the withdrawal of a UK parliamentarian in protest over her expected attendance.
Mnangagwa had been billed as a speaker at the high-profile summit, which is taking place from June 17 to 18 at the Royal Leonardo Hotel in Tower Bridge. However, instead of travelling to London, she diverted to Dubai, arriving two days early for the Merck Foundation's First Ladies Initiative Summit, which runs from June 18 to 19.
Her no-show comes amid growing backlash over Zimbabwe's human rights record under the administration of her husband, President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Demonstrators gathered outside the London venue on Tuesday, holding placards accusing the First Lady and the ruling ZANU PF regime of presiding over abductions, state brutality, corruption, and the erosion of civil liberties.
"ZANU PF regime stop abductions, persecution, corruption, brutality and human rights violations," read one of the banners, while another branded her the "First Lady of Injustice."
Prominent UK Labour MP Dawn Butler had earlier pulled out of the summit in protest, reportedly prompting a crisis meeting among the event's organisers. According to The Standard newspaper in Zimbabwe, that meeting resulted in a decision to rescind Mnangagwa's invitation altogether.
Presidential spokesman George Charamba, however, downplayed the development, claiming her withdrawal was voluntary due to scheduling conflicts.
"You can be invited, but you can also turn down an invite," Charamba said. "Her plate is full."
Activists said their protests had achieved their goal.
"We peacefully protested against the attendance of Auxillia Mnangagwa at the FLAIR Summit. She failed to turn up, and our mission was accomplished," said protester Dickson Chikwizo, one of the organisers of the demonstration.
In addition to protesting outside the summit venue, the activists also submitted a petition to 10 Downing Street, urging the British government to deny Mnangagwa a visa over alleged human rights abuses linked to her and Zimbabwe's leadership.
The FLAIR Summit, aimed at promoting impact and resilience among African first ladies, has faced criticism for offering platforms to controversial figures accused of human rights violations.
Mnangagwa had been billed as a speaker at the high-profile summit, which is taking place from June 17 to 18 at the Royal Leonardo Hotel in Tower Bridge. However, instead of travelling to London, she diverted to Dubai, arriving two days early for the Merck Foundation's First Ladies Initiative Summit, which runs from June 18 to 19.
Her no-show comes amid growing backlash over Zimbabwe's human rights record under the administration of her husband, President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Demonstrators gathered outside the London venue on Tuesday, holding placards accusing the First Lady and the ruling ZANU PF regime of presiding over abductions, state brutality, corruption, and the erosion of civil liberties.
"ZANU PF regime stop abductions, persecution, corruption, brutality and human rights violations," read one of the banners, while another branded her the "First Lady of Injustice."
Prominent UK Labour MP Dawn Butler had earlier pulled out of the summit in protest, reportedly prompting a crisis meeting among the event's organisers. According to The Standard newspaper in Zimbabwe, that meeting resulted in a decision to rescind Mnangagwa's invitation altogether.
Presidential spokesman George Charamba, however, downplayed the development, claiming her withdrawal was voluntary due to scheduling conflicts.
"You can be invited, but you can also turn down an invite," Charamba said. "Her plate is full."
Activists said their protests had achieved their goal.
"We peacefully protested against the attendance of Auxillia Mnangagwa at the FLAIR Summit. She failed to turn up, and our mission was accomplished," said protester Dickson Chikwizo, one of the organisers of the demonstration.
In addition to protesting outside the summit venue, the activists also submitted a petition to 10 Downing Street, urging the British government to deny Mnangagwa a visa over alleged human rights abuses linked to her and Zimbabwe's leadership.
The FLAIR Summit, aimed at promoting impact and resilience among African first ladies, has faced criticism for offering platforms to controversial figures accused of human rights violations.
Source - ZimLive
