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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 43576, member: 636"] Zimbabwe First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa skipped the London summit where protesters planned to confront her about human rights problems. Event organizers had promoted her as a speaker at the First Ladies of Africa Impact and Resilience meeting. The two-day conference took place at Royal Leonardo Hotel near Tower Bridge from June 17 to 18. Mnangagwa traveled to Dubai instead for a different first ladies summit starting June 18. Her absence came after Labour MP Dawn Butler withdrew from the London event triggering emergency meetings among planners. Presidency spokesman George Charamba claimed Mnangagwa chose to cancel her UK trip because of scheduling conflicts. He said people can accept or reject invitations according to their calendar commitments. The Standard newspaper reported that organizers decided to withdraw her invitation after Butler left the program. Crisis talks occurred among event planners following the MP departure. Charamba suggested the first lady had many other commitments filling her schedule. Protesters gathered outside the London hotel carrying signs about government oppression and corruption accusations. One banner demanded the Zanu PF regime stop abductions and human rights violations across Zimbabwe. Another sign called Mnangagwa the first lady of injustice for her role during political crackdowns. Activist Dickson Chikwizo said the peaceful demonstration achieved its goals. The protest group also delivered a petition to 10 Downing Street asking officials to deny her UK visa. [/QUOTE]

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