Labour MP Dawn Butler pulls out from the FLAIR Summit amid backlash over Zimbabwe’s First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa’s participation, raising issues regarding other British politicians set to attend, as activists prepare to protest against the event.
Labour MP Dawn Butler has decided to withdraw from an upcoming international summit in London after discovering she was scheduled to speak alongside Auxillia Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe’s First Lady. Mnangagwa, who is under US sanctions for corruption and gold smuggling, has drawn criticism from Zimbabwean activists who plan protests against her participation. Butler’s decision marks a significant response to the backlash surrounding the event.
The FLAIR (First Ladies of African Impact & Resilience) Summit is set for June 17-18 at the Leonardo Royal Hotel in London, aiming to highlight female leadership and investment in Africa. However, the controversy over Mnangagwa’s involvement has led to Butler stepping back from the summit, raising concerns about the participation of other British politicians like Labour MP Diane Abbott and Conservative peer Baroness Sandip Verma.
In response to the negative attention regarding her appearance, Butler’s office issued a statement saying, “We have never agreed to speaking at this event, so are rightly concerned that Dawn is being advertised as a speaker at this summit. We have contacted the organisers and asked them to remove her name from their programme immediately.” This comes on the heels of a petition brought to 10 Downing Street by Zimbabwean activists, urging that Mnangagwa be barred from entering the UK.
Auxillia Mnangagwa is married to Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa and was sanctioned by the US in 2023 under the Global Magnitsky Act. An investigation by Al Jazeera, titled “Gold Mafia,” alleged her involvement in gold and diamond smuggling operations that benefit the ruling elite while causing economic distress for millions in Zimbabwe. Reports indicate that over 80% of the population is unemployed, while millions face starvation according to data from the World Food Programme. The political climate worsened following last year’s elections, which were labeled as fraudulent by various international observers.
Despite serious allegations against her, Mnangagwa has positioned herself as a champion of women’s empowerment—a claim many activists dispute. On June 4, Josephine Jenje-Mudimbu protested outside Downing Street, demanding that Mnangagwa’s entry be blocked. In a video shared on social media, she said, “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.”
Outrage over Mnangagwa’s possible appearance has also stirred conversation on social media. User @MilMillaz tweeted, “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 exit has turned the heat up on Abbott and Verma, both still slated to speak at the summit. Neither have publicly commented on their positions on the event, which leaves many questioning their choices. Abbott, a long-serving Labour MP, and Verma, the UK’s Ministerial Champion for Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Overseas, may find themselves at odds with their own missions if they share a platform with someone connected to state-sponsored violence.
Critics have highlighted the tragic irony, comparing the situation to the possible reception of a Russian oligarch’s spouse. Activists are convinced that allowing Mnangagwa to attend would contradict the summit’s goals and send the wrong message to oppressed women in Zimbabwe. The silence from summit organizers also raised eyebrows, even as sources hinted that Mnangagwa’s attendance might be revisited as protests ramp up.
As the summit approaches, pressures from activists intensify, with calls to “shut it down.” The event’s future hangs by a thread, presenting a complex intersection of diplomacy and accountability regarding human rights violations in Zimbabwe.
Dawn Butler’s withdrawal from the FLAIR Summit highlights strong opposition to Zimbabwe’s First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa’s participation due to her controversial background and allegations of corruption. The situation also spotlights the precarious positions of other politicians still listed as speakers, stirring significant discourse around the implications of hosting individuals connected to regimes accused of human rights abuses. With protests looming, the summit’s fate remains in question as the tension between diplomacy and ethics unfolds.
Original Source: www.newzimbabwe.com
