London 24 October 2013: Vigil group’s conference

via Vigil group’s conference on Zim future gets underway | SW Radio Africa by Mthulisi Mathuthu 23 October 2013

An All stakeholders’ conference, organised by the Zimbabwe Vigil to discuss Zimbabwe’s future, gets under way in London this Thursday.

A statement from the London-based group said the conference will bring together the Diaspora community to discuss Zimbabwe’s future in the aftermath of the July 31st election.

Topics to be discussed include the role of the Diaspora, the role of women and the role of the Church in the fight for democracy in Zimbabwe.

Dubbed ‘Restore Zimbabwe’ the conference will be addressed by Kate Hoey who is the MP for Vauxhall and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Zimbabwe.

Other speakers will be SW Radio Africa analyst and contributor Wilbert Mukori, Dewa Mavhinga of the Human Rights Watch, founder of Girl Child Network Betty Makoni and pastor Charles Chipere.

Rose Benton from the Vigil told SW Radio Africa that the conference was suggested by vigil members and other interested parties following the disputed July 31st elections in which Mugabe and his ZANU PF were declared winners.

According to the programme losing MDC-T candidates Faith Kamutsungira and Taurayi Chamboko will give ‘witness accounts’ and ‘spell out what must be done for free and fair elections in 2018’.

Benton said the one day conference will also find time to discuss other suggested issues such as the current targeted sanctions against members of the Mugabe government. Other suggested issues, which are not included in the programme released Wednesday, include corruption and the human rights situation.

The Vigil has been demonstrating outside Zimbabwe House in London every weekend for the last 11 years, campaigning for free and fair elections in Zimbabwe.

Media Notice from the Zimbabwe Vigil – 22nd October 2013