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*FULL TEXT: The Letter Seeking Revocation Of Auxillia Mnangagwa's Ambassadorship* *Follow Pindula on WhatsApp for daily new updates* https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va84dngJP21B2nWeyM3v?kp Call to Rescind “Honorary Ambassadorship” to Zimbabwean First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa > ATTN: Dr. Wilfred Ngwa (Director, Harvard Global Health Catalyst) CC: Lawrence Bacow (President, Harvard University), Dr. George Daley (Dean, Faculty of Medicine) > We collectively write to you today with profound concern over your decision to honor the First Lady of Zimbabwe, Auxilia Mnangagwa, with an honorary ambassadorship as part of your otherwise noble institutional efforts to increase access to women’s health and to reduce healthcare disparities in the developing world. To be blunt, your well-intentioned work in these areas are tainted by the affiliation with Ms. Mnangagwa and her direct personal connection to an increasingly corrupt and abusive administration in which tolerance for dissent is nonexistent and democratic rights are violently denied. According to credible human rights organizations – both domestic and international – more than 50 government critics and activists have been abducted in Zimbabwe over the past nine months. > The most pertinent example is that of Dr. Peter Magombeyi, president of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association, who “disappeared” on September 14 and was discovered five days later, left on the side of a road, disoriented, and suffering from the effects of torture. According to local reports, among the acts of violence committed against Dr. Magombeyi – while he was in the custody of suspected state agents – was the use electroshock torture. While the case of Dr. Magombeyi is indeed alarming, his ordeal is merely the latest in a raft of disappearances carried out in Zimbabwe, over the course of several decades, and since President Mnangagwa seized power in a November 2017 military coup. > In light of the concerning situation in Zimbabwe, we implore your institution to exercise due diligence in this matter and to consider rescinding this honor to First Lady Mnangagwa – an honor that should be reserved for those who are truly deserving of such recognition. Too often, repressive regimes will use international institutions, like Harvard University, to launder their oppressive practices and overall reputations. Already, the announcement of this honor has been used in Zimbabwean state media to provide a veneer of ill-gotten legitimacy for an exceedingly authoritarian regime – one in which prominent health professionals, like Dr. Peter Magombeyi, are being forcefully abducted from their homes and tortured with impunity. > Please reconsider your decision. We look forward to engaging with you on this important matter. > Respectfully yours, > Ambassador (ret) Harry Thomas United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe (2015-2018) > Ambassador (ret) Bruce Wharton United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe (2012-2015) > Ambassador (ret) Charles Ray United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe (2009-2012) > Ambassador (ret) Christopher Dell United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe (2004-2007) > Ambassador (ret) Michelle Gavin United States Ambassador to Botswana (2011-2014) > Ambassador (ret) John Campbell Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations > Ambassador (ret) William M. Bellamy Co-Chair, Zimbabwe Working Group > Chester A. Crocker Former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs > Dr. Todd Moss Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs > Grant Harris Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs > Steven Feldstein Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor > Nicole Willett Former Director for African Affairs, National Security Council > Jon Temin Former U.S. State Department Policy Planning Staff Co-Chair, Zimbabwe Working Group > Emily Renard Former U.S. State Department Foreign Affairs Officer Co-Chair, Zimbabwe Working Group > Amanda Glassman Senior Fellow, Center for Global Development MSc Harvard School of Public Health > Jeffrey Smith Founding Director, Vanguard Africa More: Vanguard Africa ---------- Pindula is best experienced with the Android App. *Download APK here:* https://zero.pindula.co.zw/media/apps/apks/pindula23.apk _On Econet, Pindula does NOT use your data_ ---------- itel A50 now available on Pindula at $84 64GB storage, 2GB RAM. _ideal for light usage_ _If you found this article useful_ *Please support Pindula by forwarding to friends and groups*
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