Zim Vigil Urges UK to Withdraw Ambassador’s Wedding Invitation

SW Radio Africa (London)

Tererai Karimakwenda

21 April 2011

The London based Zimbabwe Vigil group has written to the British government calling on them to withdraw the invitation for Zimbabwe’s Ambassador, Gabriel Machinga, to attend the Royal Wedding next week.

The letter was addressed to the Foreign Secretary, William Hague, on behalf of “exiled Zimbabweans in the U.K.”, saying they are disappointed that Ambassador Machinga has been invited to this important occasion.

Vigil coordinator Rose Benton pointed to the fact that the Mugabe regime is subject to targeted restrictive measures imposed by the E.U. due to its human rights abuses. “Ambassador Machinga has always made it clear that he represents Mugabe and not the people of Zimbabwe or even their coalition government,” she added.

Benton explained that the existence of a coalition government, that includes the MDC, is complicating issues because it means Machinga represents them. “It is very hard to direct your efforts now because the MDC is part of government. There is no true opposition anymore,” Benton said.

The letter urging Hague to withdraw Machinga’s invitation was posted on Wednesday and an email was also sent to the Zimbabwe desk at the Foreign Office. “I think it’s appalling that he has been invited,” Benton complained.

She explained that the letter followed an article in the London Evening Standard, which had also concluded that the UK would be justified if they withdrew the invitation.

A sister group, the Swazi Vigil, has been campaigning against the oppressive and abusive regime of King Mswati, who has also been invited to attend the Royal Wedding. Protests against his attendance are being organized. “Governments with appalling human rights records should not be invited. I know it is protocol but it’s a puzzling business,” Benton said.

Political analyst Clifford Mashiri agreed with the Vigil group’s request. Writing in his weekly blog, Mashiri said: “It would be in very bad taste for Britain to ignore protest voices of Zimbabwe’s human rights activists and civil society. International isolation of Mugabe’s regime has proved effective in getting political reforms, albeit a case of too little, too late.”

Mashiri urged civil society organisations in Zimbabwe to protest outside the British Embassy in Harare if Machinga’s invitation is not revoked.

The Vigil has campaigned for democracy and good governance in Zimbabwe since 2002. Benton said they are now cooperating with other human rights groups in the SADC region.

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