The forgotten battle for a country's soul.
The world in which we live is ever more connected - yet in this globalised world we have completely failed to exhibit any level of consistency when it comes to compassion. We #PrayForParis whilst Bangladesh burns, #JeSuisCharlie breaks the internet whilst 2,700,000 people in Central African Republic are in dire need of saving, internal displacement, poverty and starvation of a nation caused by years of civil war after a coup d'etat no one even knows about.
The US based Council on Foreign Relations has a Global Conflict Tracker, it looks a little like this:
What is happening right now in Zimbabwe is of little importance to the world. They have no clout in politics or the military. Yet their dictatorial leader has been sitting in his position of power since 1987, overseeing the constant, methodical destruction of a country that was once considered the breadbasket of Africa. It was rich in that which has most value - beautiful wildlife, amazing scenery, a rich cultural heritage such as the ruins of Great Zimbabwe, one of Africa's first true developed cultures. It is also rich in gold, very rich. So rich that the illegal exploitation of gold as well as corrupt issuing of government tenders has created a new niche of obscenely wealthy; in a country where the income level or GDP per capita is the joint second lowest in the world, at $600, level with Liberia. People like Sidney Hambira whose father was awarded multiple contract to maintain Harare's infrastructure over more reputable companies and cheaper tenders.
This is Sidney Hambira... in Zimbabwe...with an instagram to rival that of anyone in London or New York
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Recently,Zimbabwe were exposed to an unlikely hero who, in an online rant wearing the Zimbabwean flag around his neck said “When I look at the flag it’s not a reminder of my pride and inspiration, it feels as if I want to belong to another country.” and posted under #thisflag. Pastor Evan Mawarire, who is not paid by the church for his work, was worrying about how he would pay his children's school fees and snapped.
Mawarire
What happened next was the greatest example of social media based revolution not seen since the Arab Spring and culminated in the people of Zimbabwe shut downing the entire country for a day of peaceful protest on July 6th, leaving the capital resembling a scene from I am Legend - minus zombies and encroaching wildlife.
After two weeks of near constant protest, we in Africa, and hopefully with growing awareness - you in the rest of the world, watch and hope for the people of Zimbabwe, and their struggle for liberation against one of Africa's most successful tyrants.