Zimbabwean President condemns violence and calls for peace



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Emmerson Mnangagwa issued a statement in which he is deeply saddened by the events in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa is sworn in Harare on August 26, 2018. Photo: AFP.

JOHANNESBURG – Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has broken his silence on the situation in his country.

Zimbabweans took to the streets on Monday, following the announcement of a rise in the price of gasoline by Mnangagwa before he left the country. Citizens are now paying 150% more for fuel, leaving many people stranded.

Mnangagwa has just issued a statement in which he says he is deeply saddened by the events in Zimbabwe.

The president – who is currently on a state visit to Russia with the aim of raising funds for Zimbabwe's cash-strapped – said that although everyone had the right to express themselves freely, nothing could justify violence.

He also called for calm and peace.

We are a nation with a mission and we will achieve it together. My thoughts on the current situation: pic.twitter.com/EUE5DJiTrE

– President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) January 16, 2019

Speaking from Moscow, the president said that if citizens have the right to protest, the destruction of property and violence will not contribute to the reconstruction of Zimbabwe.

According to Amnesty International, eight people have been killed since the start of the protest on Monday when police and the army opened fire on protesters.

Mnangagwa said his visit to Europe was part of his plan to rebuild Zimbabwe's troubled economy.

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