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Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa interrupted a tour abroad as criticism increased over the brutal crackdown on protests in the country.
"Given the economic situation, I will return home after a very productive week of bilateral meetings on trade and investment," he said on Twitter on Sunday, thus canceling his intention to badist at the top of Davos this week.
"We will be well represented in Davos by the Minister of Finance, Mthuli Ncube", Mnangagwa said.
The demonstrations are part of a violent reaction against the Mnangagwa government, which more than doubled the price of gasoline and diesel last week.
In addition, Zimbabwe is plagued by severe shortages of hard currency that Mnangagwa has promised to settle several times since its predecessor, Robert Mugabe, was deposed by a coup in 2017.
Given the economic situation, I will return home after a very productive week of bilateral meetings on trade and investment. Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube will skilfully represent us in Davos. The first priority is to make Zimbabwe calm, stable and operational again.
– President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) January 20, 2019
The repression of the demonstrations raised fears of a return to the violent repression of the Mugabe era.
At least Twelve people were killed and dozens more injured, according to the NGO forum for human rights in Zimbabwe, which has recorded more than 240 badaults and acts of torture.
More than 600 people have been arrested, including a prominent pastor and activist, Evan Mawarire, who has supported social media protests and is currently facing a 20 – year jail sentence for subversion. More than 400 people were denied bail, said his lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa.
On Sunday, a court ruled that Mawarire had a case to deal with and that he would hear his appeal being released on bail on Monday.
Mawarire described it as "heartbreaking" to see the new government act like that of former President Mugabe, who resigned under pressure from the army in late 2017 and was replaced by the former protected Mnangagwa.
According to reports, the government imposed a total Internet shutdown in response to protests.
The UN has sharply criticized the government's response to protests, allegations of gunfire, beatings and kidnappings of opposition figures, activists and ordinary residents growing in numbers.
Mnangagwa is looking for an indispensable foreign investment and made it to Kazakhstan on Sunday after the start of his tour in Russia last Monday.
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