Auxillia Mnangagwa Fails to Attend FLAIR Summit in London Amidst Controversy
The First Ladies of African Impact & Resilience (FLAIR) Summit, scheduled for June 17-18, 2025, at the Leonardo Royal Hotel in London, was expected to host Auxillia Mnangagwa, the First Lady of Zimbabwe. However, it appears she did not attend the summit amidst widespread criticism from Zimbabweans in the UK and concerns over human rights abuses.
Background to the Controversy
The FLAIR Summit aims to promote women's empowerment, impact, and resilience. However, Auxillia Mnangagwa's potential attendance sparked outrage due to her association with Zimbabwe's repressive Zanu PF regime and documented human rights abuses. Zimbabweans in the UK petitioned the UK Prime Minister and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to deny Auxillia a visa, citing her role in a regime that contributes to the suffering of Zimbabwean women ¹.
Reasons Behind the Outcry- Human Rights Abuses:
Zimbabwe's maternal mortality rate increased to 114 per 100,000 live births in 2023, reflecting the dire state of healthcare under Zanu PF governance.
- Lack of Transparency:
The circumstances surrounding Auxillia's invitation as "patron elect" raised questions about potential funding influence and motives behind her participation.
- Contradiction to FLAIR Summit's Ethos:
Auxillia's involvement was seen as inconsistent with the summit's goals, given her association with a regime that undermines women's empowerment and resilience.
Reactions from the Diaspora
Zimbabweans in the UK organized a peaceful demonstration at the Leonardo Royal Hotel to highlight the plight of Zimbabweans under Zanu PF's rule and call for accountability. The community expressed concerns that Auxillia's attendance would overshadow the summit's objectives and divert attention from genuine advocates for women's rights ¹.While there is confirmation that Auxillia Mnangagwa's UK trip was cancelled, possibly referring to her attendance at the FLAIR Summit, the controversy surrounding her invitation highlights the need for scrutiny of public figures and their involvement in international events ².