Demonstrations lined up in the diaspora to mark Independence Day

By Lance Guma
17 April 2007

On Wednesday Zimbabweans mark 27 years of independence from British colonial rule. Events in the country have however shifted the focus from celebrating, to acknowledging that an oppressive regime is in power. Activists all over the world have lined up a series of demonstrations to express their condemnation of Mugabe’s crackdown on the opposition. UK protesters will march to the British parliament building in Westminster and a petition will be handed over to Labour MP Kate Hoey who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Zimbabwe. The petition to the British asks them to put pressure on African leaders and use their influence to solve the country’s crisis.

The UK demonstrators will also visit the Zimbabwean, South African, Chinese, Angolan and Ghanaian embassies. Organisers accuse the Angolan government of entering into a ‘blood alliance’ with Mugabe through the reported supply of police militia to help suppress rising discontent in Zimbabwe. The protest at the South African High Commission is to make the statement that Mbeki’s quiet diplomacy has failed to work and will never work. The message to the Ghanaians is that although they have been an example of democracy and tolerance in Africa they have fallen short of outright condemnation of Robert Mugabe. The protest at the Chinese embassy is to condemn that country’s financial support for Mugabe’s regime and what the activists call the exploitation of Zimbabwe’s wealth.

The Movement for Democratic Change UK province is behind the protest. Lucia Matibenga the Vice President of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) is expected to attend, as are members of the Zimbabwe Vigil who have led a 5-year campaign protesting at the embassy. The MDC UK Chair Ephraim Tapa, is quoted as saying Independence Day is no cause for celebration because people are suffering. He urges the world to act and bring about a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

On Tuesday several Canadian NGO’s marched on the Zimbabwean embassy in Ottawa. Organised by the Zimbabwe Inter-Agency Reference Group the protest also included Zimbabwean activists based in Canada. Alexis Kontos one of the organisers said the protest was meant to condemn the violent crackdown on Zimbabwe civil society activists. Amnesty International in Canada also launched an online petition for activists to sign and make their voice heard.