Zimbabweans protest at Chinese aid for Mugabe
Announcement circulated on behalf of ZimVigil. Please contact ZimVigil if you have any questions about the protest.
Exiled Zimbabweans are to stage a demonstration outside the Chinese Embassy on Friday, 29th July, in an attempt to persuade China not to give financial support to prop up the ailing Zimbabwean economy.
Mr Mugabe arrived in China at the weekend for talks with the Chinese leadership and it is reported that he is seeking US$1 billion. He has already requested a similar amount from South Africa and is reported to be also asking other countries, including Namibia, for money.
The demonstration is organised by the Zimbabwe Vigil, which has been protesting outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London every Saturday for nearly 3 years in support of free and fair elections. A group of Zimbabweans from Birmingham, who instigated the protest, are to be present at the demonstration, which will take place from noon to 2 pm.
The Chinese Embassy has already indicated that it will not allow a petition to be handed over. The petition reads:
“CHINA – DO NOT PROP UP MUGABE: We understand that the aim of President Mugabe’s visit to China is to seek an emergency loan to prop up the collapsing Zimbabwe economy. We advise the government of China that we will support any decision by a new democratic government in Zimbabwe to disown such debts to China incurred by the Mugabe regime, including payment for armaments recently supplied.”
A spokesman for the protest said that, in spite of the unhelpful attitude of the Chinese Embassy, an attempt would be made to hand the petition over.
Under President Mugabe’s despotic rule, the Zimbabwean economy has declined catastrophically in the last 5 y
ears, contracting by about 40%. Unemployment is more than 70% and inflation is in 3 figures. The country has largely ground to a halt because of fuel shortages caused by a lack of foreign exchange. At the same time, millions of people are facing starvation because of food shortages. The situation has been further worsened by “Operation Murambatsvina” under which the homes and informal livelihoods of the urban poor have been destroyed in a move which has been condemned in a recent United Nations report.
Venue: Outside the Chinese Embassy, 49 - 51 Portland Place, London W1B 1JL
Date: Friday, 29th July 2005
Time: 12 pm - 2 pm
Contacts:
Wiz Bishop 07973 521 160
Jonathan Chawora 07723 929 167
Makusha Mugabe 07903 127 073
Dennis Benton 07932 193 467
Website: www.zimvigil.co.uk
May 23rd, 2006 16:10
Hi, just came across this site while looking for photos of protests outside the Chinese embassy, just wanted to wish you the best of luck with your struggle. I think China’s influence across Africa is entirely troubling. I recently wrote something about it on my blog, particularly with reference to Angola but with mention of Zimbabwe too.
As I say, very best wishes, Richard
November 15th, 2007 13:51
is it power that you want or the welfare of the people back at home? When was the last time you were home? If he is trying to make things better dont go around telling people not to give him aid because he (Mugabe) is not suffering the people that are suffering are your parents, brothers and sisters.PEOPLE ARE GRATEFUL IF THEY CAN HAVE A MEAL A DAY IN ZIMBABWE.Think of others before you do anything dont be selfish.