Zimbabwe’s new president won’t decriminalise homosexuality

by Tim Gibson

After the fall of Robert Mugabe many thought the African country of Zimbabwe might finally move forward on LGBT+ rights. Gay sex has been illegal in the country since 1891 and Mugabe was well-known for his stanchly homophobic beliefs, calling gay people “filthy”.

Emmerson Mnangagwa, 75, took over from his predecessor in November of last year. Travelling to the Swiss city of Davos for the annual World Economic Forum he was asked by a CNN reporter about his stance on LGBT+ issues. While pushing for Zimbabwe’s economic resurgence he admitted that LGBT+ issues weren’t at the forefront of his agenda.

“Those people who want it are the people who should canvass for it,” he said, “It is not my duty to campaign for this… In our constitution (gay sex) is banned – and it is my duty to obey the constitution.”

His clarified stance has disappointed many activists. African LGBT+ rights advocate Edwin Sesange said in response that “it is time for President Mnangagwa to prove to ordinary Zimbabweans and the world at large that he is different from despotic Mugabe by vowing to protect all persons irrespective of their sexuality and gender.”

He argued that the constitution also protected Zimbabweans against discrimination, “The laws prohibiting same sex relations are colonial hangover that should be abolished by independent countries. President Mnangwa should defend the right to non-discrimination as stipulated in the Zimbabwean constitution.”

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