While 2018 saw new leadership being announced in key southern African countries‚ the region’s leaders have failed to live up to the expectations of their electorates.
This is according to Human Rights Watch‚ which on Thursday launched its World Report 2019 in Johannesburg.
"The new crop of leaders across southern Africa should recognise that their citizens are expecting genuine improvements in human rights‚" said southern Africa director at Human Rights Watch Dewa Mavhinga.
Mavhinga said the current economic crisis in Zimbabwe could affect the African region if not addressed.
Zimbabwean citizens took to the streets this week following the announcement of a massive petrol price hike. The government was also accused of blocking the internet as citizens claimed they could not access social media.
More than 20 organisations in Africa signed a letter addressed to the country’s minister of communication to restore internet connection.
"We are calling on authorities in Zimbabwe to fully restore internet services in Zimbabwe … it is a human right that authorities are in breach of‚" Mavhinga said...