Largest protests in years bubble up in Zimbabwe as anger over economy grows

• Protests against government corruption, unpaid salaries, and a generally failing economy led to a general strike and street protests, prompting a government response that included violent attacks on and intimidation of citizens.
• A prominent religious leader who called for the strike was arrested then released on technicality after having been charged with inciting public violence and later with conspiring to overthrow the government.
• The protests have been the largest challenge in a decade to the rule of President Robert Mugabe, who has held power in the country since its independence from Britain in 1980.

Read more:
“Zimbabweans suffer ‘savage’ police abuse as anti-Mugabe movement grows” (Reuters)
“Zimbabwe shutdown: What is behind the protests?” (BBC)
“Zimbabwe Court Frees Pastor Detained Over Protests Against Mugabe” (The New York Times)

(Image Credit: Philimon Bulawayo/Reuters)