South Africa: campaigners begin hunger strike for Zimbabwe
When Africa's heads of state meet this Sunday, they will be greeted by a crowd of hunger strikers, calling for justice and democracy in Zimbabwe.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela's wife Graça Machel, and hundreds of others have joined the campaign and pledged solidarity with the Zimbabwean people. most of whom are now struggling to survive on a meal a day or less.
Many campaigners plan to fast for one or more days. Kumi Naidoo, secretary-general of Civicus a human rights NGO, said he would fast until 11 February, at the Central Methodist Church in central Johannesburg, as an act of solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe who are starving.
Naidoo began his hunger strike at the launch this week, where he will be based for most of the hunger strike.
Campaigners are calling for the immediate suspension of abductions and kidnappings in Zimbabwe and for the declaration of a humanitarian crisis there. They are also urging the Southern African Development Community to stop treating Robert Mugabe as a legitimate president.
Source: Avaaz