Al Jazeera investigation that reveals Zimbabwean government paid UK terrorist groups to force lifting of sanctions
An Al Jazeera investigation alleges that Zimbabwean government officials paid British individuals to stage a fake rally during COP26. The goal was to manufacture the appearance of British support for the Zimbabwean regime to help lift international sanctions.
Why it matters
This exposes potential corruption and the use of 'astroturfing' in international diplomacy to manipulate public perception of political regimes.
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa’s advisor Uebert Angel has been caught up in another Al Jazeera investigation that reveals as much as US$13,000 was paid for a fake rally on the sidelines of COP26, seeking to portray British people’s support for a UK-Zimbabwe relationship.
Titled ‘ Contract Killers and the Far Right ‘, the investigation sees hired Britons packed in a hall, being coached on how to react and what to say at the rally, which was attended by Angel in November 2021.
Mnangagwa joined other world leaders in Glasgow for COP26, a climate conference which seeks to promote net-zero emissions by mid-century and keep the 1.5°C global warming limit within reach for earth’s sustainability.
Other than climate issues, Mnangagwa sought to re-sell himself as the rightful leader of Zimbabwe, clean his regime’s bad-boy tag and open financial opportunities for the country.
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