Labour MP Dawn Butler Withdraws from Summit Following Controversy with Zimbabwe’s First Lady

Dawn Butler, a Labour MP, has canceled her participation in the FLAIR Summit due to backlash against Zimbabwe’s First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, who is under U.S. sanctions for corruption. Activists plan protests against her involvement, raising concerns about the presence of other British politicians at the summit. The event aims to promote female leadership in Africa but faces scrutiny amid calls for accountability.

Labour MP Dawn Butler recently announced her withdrawal from an international summit in London after discovering she was listed to speak alongside Auxillia Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe’s First Lady, who is currently under U.S. sanctions related to corruption and gold smuggling allegations. This decision was fueled by intense backlash from activists, who have voiced strong opposition to Mnangagwa’s participation and threatened protests at the event.

The FLAIR Summit, scheduled for the 17th and 18th of June at the Leonardo Royal Hotel in London, is designed to highlight female leadership and investment in Africa. However, the controversy surrounding Mnangagwa has heightened tensions, leading to Butler’s exit and raising concerns about the engagement of other British politicians, namely Labour MP Diane Abbott and Conservative peer Baroness Sandip Verma.

In a statement, Butler’s office expressed dismay, stating, “We have never agreed to speaking at this event, so are rightly concerned that Dawn is being advertised as a speaker at this summit.” Following this announcement, Zimbabwean diaspora activists submitted a petition to 10 Downing Street, urging that Mnangagwa be barred from entering the UK altogether.

Auxillia Mnangagwa, married to Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has faced U.S. sanctions since 2023 under the Global Magnitsky Act. An investigation by Al Jazeera, titled “Gold Mafia,” alleged her involvement in smuggling gold and diamonds, benefiting the ruling elite while the country’s economy suffered. An alarming statistic shows that over 80% of Zimbabweans are unemployed, and 5.6 million are experiencing food insecurity, as reported by the World Food Programme. Last year’s elections have drawn significant criticism for purportedly being fraudulent, further empowering the current regime.

Despite these allegations, Mnangagwa presents herself as a champion for women’s empowerment, a claim met with skepticism by activists who see her as a figure of hypocrisy. On June 4th, Josephine Jenje-Mudimbu led a protest at Downing Street, delivering a petition against Mnangagwa’s attendance. Coming forward in a video posted on X, she stated, “Charity begins at home. Auxillia should clean up the mess she and her husband are creating in Zimbabwe. There is no room for Auxillia to come to the UK to present herself at FLAIR.”

The growing outrage has also made waves on social media, as various users voiced their concerns. One user, @MilMillaz, wrote that, “Auxillia Mnangagwa must not be given a platform at the FLAIRSummit. She represents a brutal regime responsible for abductions, mass corruption, and human rights abuses.”

Butler’s departure has now shifted the focus onto Abbott and Verma, who remain listed as speakers. The veteran Labour MP Abbott and Verma, who is the UK Ministerial Champion for Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Overseas, have not yet clarified their positions on this issue. The stakes for Verma are considerable, especially given her role requires her not to associate with figures linked to state violence. To date, neither have responded to inquiries from the press.

The lack of comment from these politicians has only escalated criticism. A user on X posed a provocative question: “Would these MPs sit with the spouse of a Russian oligarch? If not, what makes Zimbabwe different?” Activists assert that hosting Mnangagwa not only contradicts the summit’s aims but also sends a disturbing message to Zimbabwean women undergoing oppression.

Organizers of the FLAIR Summit have not issued any statements regarding the controversy, though some sources have indicated that Mnangagwa’s participation may be reconsidered amid growing protests. With the event’s date swiftly approaching, this situation illustrates a significant challenge: how to navigate the fine line between diplomatic engagement and accountability for ongoing human rights violations.

The upcoming FLAIR Summit has become a focal point of contention due to the participation of Zimbabwe’s First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, prompting Labour MP Dawn Butler to withdraw as a speaker. Her departure highlights protests from activists who accuse Mnangagwa of hypocrisy and corruption. With fellow politicians Diane Abbott and Baroness Sandip Verma remaining unresponsive about their involvement, criticism continues to mount. Activists are determined to make their voices heard as the summit’s date nears, leaving the event’s future uncertain amid ongoing calls for accountability.

Original Source: www.newzimbabwe.com