20th June 2024
World Refugee Day, designated by the United Nations in 2001, serves to raise awareness about the plight of refugees worldwide. It commemorates their resilience and courage in the face of adversity while promoting empathy and understanding among global communities.
For Zimbabweans, World Refugee Day holds particular
significance as many have been forced to flee their homes due to economic
hardships, political unrest, and human rights abuses. It serves as a reminder
of the challenges faced by those seeking safety and opportunities abroad,
highlighting the need for international solidarity and support in addressing
these complex issues.
Like Robert Mugabe before him, Emmerson Mnangagwa's tyrannical
leadership in Zimbabwe has caused undue suffering to citizens and compelled
many citizens to seek refuge abroad. Under ZANU-PF leadership, the country has
faced state-sponsored human rights abuses (murders, enforced disappearances, abductions,
torture, incarceration, persecution etc.).
The human rights violations consequently affect vulnerable
groups like the elderly, children and the girl child. These issues underscore a
broader climate of insecurity and fear, prompting Zimbabweans to leave their
homeland in search of safety and stability elsewhere.
Moreover, Zimbabwe currently grapples with a severe drought,
exacerbating food insecurity and prompting Mnangagwa's administration to seek
international aid despite the country's rich agricultural potential and mineral
resources. This reliance on external assistance highlights a failure to harness
Zimbabwe's capabilities for self-sufficiency and development effectively.
Any nation's leadership must prioritise taking good care of
its citizens. This involves ensuring basic rights and freedoms and providing
opportunities for education, employment, and healthcare. Effective governance
should prioritise the well-being of all Zimbabweans, fostering an environment
where every citizen feels secure, valued, and empowered to contribute to the
nation's progress.
Sadly, Emmerson Mnangagwa focuses on retaining power at all costs,
thereby piling misery on Zimbabwe’s citizens.
As we commemorate World Refugee Day today,
Thursday, 20th June 2024, we spare a thought for all who have been
forced to flee Zimbabwe and those who remain under the grip of Mnangagwa’s
tyrannical and corrupt rule.
About the author
Renee Brenda Langa is a human rights activist based in the United
Kingdom. She is the Secretary for Information & Publicity for the Midlands
Branch of the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe.
She can be contacted by email at reneelanga378@gmail.com OR renee.langa@rohr-zimbabwe.org
Thank you for an informative piece!
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