Stand Up For Zimbabwe campaign to feature on Africa Day
By Tererai Karimakwenda
May 21, 2008

The political crisis in Zimbabwe is set to take centre stage this Sunday May 25, which is the annual commemoration of Africa Day. This day is set aside every year to commemorate the 1963 founding of the Organisation of African Unity, which later became the African Union (AU). This year African Civil Society organisations that met in Dar es Salaam in April decided to urge civil groups regionally and internationally to commemorate Africa Day with a show of solidarity for the people of Zimbabwe.

This year’s campaign has been dubbed "Stand Up (For) Zimbabwe" Day. Regis Mtutu, International Campaigns Coordinator for the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), said there could not be an Africa Day when the people of Zimbabwe do not enjoy their rights. Most importantly, organisers are calling on people from around the world to stand up at noon and observe a few minutes silence. Those who have banners, buttons or T-shirts are encouraged to make sure they are visible on the day.

Mtutu said: “The idea is for each organisation to decide in what way they would want to show their solidarity, and do what is within their capacity.” It has been suggested that these plans of action could include protests or demonstrations outside Zimbabwean government offices, such as embassies in different countries.

In South Africa TAC has organized a protest march from Pretoria’s City Hall to the Union Building that houses government offices. They plan to deliver a petition for President Thabo Mbeki and for the Ministry Of Home Affairs, calling for stronger action on the Zimbabwe crisis. Mtutu said in Angola there is a planned protest march that includes women’s groups, students and church based organisations.
Events could also be held outside SADC offices, at the African Union and at United Nations offices. Conducting a few minutes silence at these events is also suggested, so that those assembled would stand in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe. This can be done wherever people are gathered; in churches, schools or at sporting events. Any activity will do as long as it provides an opportunity to show an understanding of the political, economic and electoral crisis being experienced by the people of Zimbabwe.

Mtutu believes this type of campaign can be very powerful, as it was during the fight against apartheid. He said: “It was ordinary men and women all over the world who said we cannot keep quiet in the face of what we see.”

More information on this campaign can be found at www.standupforZimbabwe.org