Zimbabwe’s main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has announced that he will boycott a summit called by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to promote “national dialogue” amidst a worsening economic and political crisis. Mr Chamisa tweeted Mr Mnangagwa won a “rigged” election last year, and talks could only be held under a “credible convener”:
Mr Mnangagwa tweeted that he wanted all leaders to “put the people first and politics second”, and attend the summit: The summit is due to be held later today, AFP news agency reports.
Zimbabwe’s economy is in a downward spiral, with critics alleging that Mr Mnangagwa is proving to be a worse president than his predecessor, Robert Mugabe, who was ousted in 2017 after 27 years in power. Widespread protests broke out last month after Mr Mnangagwa announced that the fuel price will more than double.
At least 12 people were killed when the security forces intervened to crush the protests, a local rights group said. The price of bread increased by 70% on Saturday, amid growing anger at the rising cost of living and at shortages of fuel and basic foodstuffs.
