Dr Arikana Chihombori-Quao, a Zimbabwean medical doctor and activist, is widely known for her strong and outspoken criticism of the existing global order and enduring mechanisms of neo-colonialism in Africa, but very silent on Zimbabwean leadership, governance and policy failures, as as human rights abuses, corruption and incompetence.
Her rare comments on Zimbabwe tend to focus on governance issues, particularly the impact of Western sanctions that she describes as illegal and the need for internal progress, while her broader, more vocal, criticism is directed at external, systemic forces that she argues prevent the African continent from achieving its potential.Β
Well and good, but charity begins at home.
On Zimbabwe, she is largely silent.
But then if you are silent in times of injustice (at home), you are often seen as complicit with the regime, as your silence simply allows the injustice to continue and can be easily interpreted as supporting the oppressor.
Dr Arikana Chihombori-Quao, what's your view on what is currently happening at home, specifically President Emmerson Mnangagwa's bid to extend his rule beyond his second term constitutional limit?
Let's start there before we grapple with the United Nations power structure and the current global order.