Zimbabwe

#This flag: Rebellion against the System, Mugabe

Twitter, Facebook and the Zimbabwean flag: more Pastor Evan Mawarire not needed to start a new protest movement. The frustration of the Zimbabweans about their government is big – but the fear of her also.

To stand by the hundreds in front of the court building, singing, dancing and waving the Zimbabwean Flag. Twelve hours long to the supporters, among them around 100 human rights lawyers have held that there vigil. Now you can celebrate the release of their hero, the Baptist pastor Evan Mawarire. “It wasn’t fair, Evan’s arrest. The government has violated basic democratic rights,” says the 49-year-old Claudia Mutasa of the DW.

Mawarire gained country-wide notoriety, as he asks in April, in an online video, the Zimbabweans, the country of the political elites to “reclaim”. The Zimbabwean Flag on the shoulders, he says: “Look at this flag: you say that the Green stands for the rich Vegetation – but I don’t see any harvest in my country. The Yellow stands for the wealth of natural Resources: Gold, diamonds, platinum and chrome. But I don’t know how much of it is left, to whom you have sold and how much you have.” In Social media Mawarire trigger a mass movement; thousands of Zimbabweans uploaded under the Hashtag #this flag your own photos with flag.

A country is at a standstill

In the past week Mawarire to “Shut Down”, a country-wide strike called on The streets in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, remained empty of people; hospitals, schools and shops closed. The
Strike and the protests were against corruption, against the
The introduction of promissory notes as a substitute currency, against unemployment and against import bans on basic food products from the neighbouring countries. In several places there were violent clashes. At the country-wide protests are to be taken according to the human rights organization Amnesty International, about 300 people, the hospitals reported many people injured by police violence.

“So far, the Zimbabweans fear of abuse had to denounce to the public,” said Mawarire on the day before the Shut Down in the DW-Interview. “Many have said their opinion, were beaten, arrested, or kidnapped.”

Indictment for high treason

Through his protest call Mawarire stand on themselves in the centre of the investigation: On Tuesday (12.07.2016) took the police to the government-critical Pastor because of “incitement to violence”. “Zimbabweans, never stops, your country rebuild. Maybe we see us again”, turned Mawarire in a short time before his arrest, recorded a video message to his supporters.

In the course of the negotiations, the charge was aggravated: The prosecution accuses Mawarire, to bring down the government – an Offense that can be punished with up to 20 years in prison. The court found that the spontaneous Alteration of the indictment as unconstitutional.

The government threatens with reprisals

I’m safe and well. Thank you citizens. #This flag (full video on https://t.co/LQxvngfDZX ) pic.twitter.com/iC9tRw4mF9

— #This Flag (@ThisFlag1980) 14. July 2016

Since Wednesday Mawarire is again on free foot. Once back in his apartment, calls the Pastor his followers to again Shut Down the following day. However, the Zimbabwean government has made it clear what she thinks of protest actions. Interior Minister Ignatius Chombo warns, everyone who take part in strikes, going to get the “full force of the law”. In a public notice, the telecommunications authority condemned the “misuse of social media”. Who send anti-government messages, must expect to be arrested. At the same time, many state officials since June, outstanding wages and salaries paid. The Protest last week was mainly driven by the unpaid teachers and nurses.

The second Shut Down. His arrest has helped Mawarire to more recognition and sympathy – but it was also a clear warning to his supporters. “A lot of citizens wait and watch how the situation develops before you enter into with other protests, a personal risk,” says Christian of Soerst, researcher at the GIGA Institute in Hamburg to Zimbabwe. “The arrest has helped the Regime in the short term, because it has prevented potential protests, at least for the next few days.”

The Pastor is free – go to the protests?

High Potential For Frustration

But when the Frustration of Zimbabweans to discharge again, it seems only a matter of time. The country is economically on the brink: Due to a Hyperinflation of the US since 2009, Dollar the official currency, but the is just. Since a few weeks, the government is, therefore, promissory notes. 16 years after #link:18457937:Mugabe’s land reform, the agricultural sector lies on the ground, the country can no longer feed themselves, an extreme drought and import prohibitions exacerbate the situation. 90 percent of Zimbabweans do not have formal employment.

The 92-year-old Mugabe has for 29 years President, and also wants to run in 2018. Rigged elections, a gegängelte Opposition, and rampant corruption – all this is fueling the resentment in the Zimbabwean society.

“We will not cave in” to calls Evan Mawarire of his supporters, as he leaves the court building. “This is our Chance to say to the government is of the opinion. And we will let this Chance did not take.”

Staff: Mark Caldwell and Privilege Musvanhiri