Zimbabwe’s President Calls for Unity on 41st Independence Day

HARARE, ZIMABABWE - Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa called for unity as the country marked 41 years of independence on Sunday. But the president also accused the opposition leader of being destructive, and the opposition fired right back, saying the president and his party are violent against the people.  

In a wide-ranging interview aired on national television to mark the country’s independence, President Emmerson Mnangagwa called on Zimbabweans to unite so that the country can prosper.  Asked about Nelson Chamisa, the leader of the main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance, the 78-year-old leader said, “Well, you have mentioned this one Zimbabwean, you forget that him and his vice president [Tendai Biti] went to America to ask for sanctions to continue to be imposed on Zimbabwe. So, before they cut that cord with the Americans it is difficult to be proper Zimbabweans! I still believe that Mr. Chamisa is a young Zimbabwean, he still has that opportunity to positively to contribute to his country if he puts aside the vision for violent demonstrations against his country, being destructive.”  Independence celebrations were muted this year with most of the usual festivities canceled due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.