‘Protest pastor’ Evan Mawarire could run in 2018 Zimbabwe election
Robert Mugabe publicly threatened Evan Mawarire for starting the This Flag internet campaign, which triggered large antigovernment street protests
Harare — A Zimbabwean pastor who led a popular protest movement last year against strongman President Robert Mugabe says he might stand in the 2018 general election. Evan Mawarire was publicly threatened by Mugabe after starting the This Flag internet campaign that triggered the largest surge of antigovernment street protests in many years. Mugabe has vowed to run again and has already been chosen as the candidate for the ruling Zanu (PF) party, which has been involved in brutal violence and vote-rigging in past elections. Mawarire, who is on bail, faces charges of subverting the government and inciting public violence after he was arrested earlier in February at Harare airport. “If the need arises or if it becomes necessary for me to participate in the elections I really want to be available for that,” he told reporters outside court on Friday. “I believe it is my duty as a citizen to serve my nation in that way … I haven’t made that decision as yet but certainly I don’t want that ...
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