Zimbabwe Vigil Diary 6th January 2024

https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/53449186788/sizes/m/

One passer-by shouted ‘Keep going, maybe one day’ whilst another and his family, who identified themselves as Zimbabweans, stood by to wish the Vigil ‘all the very best, it’d be great to meet again in a free Zimbabwe, that’s home’. Many also stood by to learn more about the current Zimbabwe situation and how they could help. Very encouraging indeed!

All this happened as Zimbabwe’s hopes for meaningful SADC interventions and, with it, hopes for a better Zimbabwe, wanes. Activists noted that talk on SADC intervention was slowly dying, and Zimbabwe was fast sliding off the regional and continental agenda, just 4 months after the shameful 2023 election. News that Mnangagwa would be assuming the SADC Chairperson role in August 2024 said it all. And with no meaningful opposition voices, ordinary Zimbabweans appear resigned to the fact that they are on their own and have to contend with the ZANU PF tyranny, with nowhere else to turn to. Activists, however, reminded themselves of the critical role played by diaspora communities in helping liberate their countries whilst being fully conscious of the challenge’s enormity.Keep going, maybe one day!’

Thanks to those who came today: Blessing Chikunya, Blessing Harry, Munashe Madziyauswa, Philip Maponga, Patricia Masamba and Ephraim Tapa. For photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/albums/72177720313879931/.

For Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website.

Events and Notices:

• Next Vigil meeting outside the Zimbabwe Embassy. Saturday 20^th January from 2 – 5 pm. We meet on the first and third Saturdays of every month. On other Saturdays, the virtual Vigil will run.
• The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organisation based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organisation on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe.
• The Vigil’s book ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’ is based on our weekly diaries. It records how events in Zimbabwe have unfolded as seen by the diaspora in the UK. It chronicles the economic disintegration, violence, growing oppression and political manoeuvring – and the tragic human cost involved. It is available at the Vigil. All proceeds go to the Vigil and our sister organisation the Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe’s work in Zimbabwe. The book is also available from Amazon.
• Facebook pages:  

Vigil : https ://www.facebook.com/zimbabwevigil

ROHR: https://www.facebook.com/Restoration-of-Human-Rights-ROHR-Zimbabwe-International-370825706588551/

ZAF: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zimbabwe-Action-Forum-ZAF/490257051027515

The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London meets regularly on Saturdays from 14.00 to 17.00 to protest against gross violations of human rights in Zimbabwe. The Vigil which started in October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/.