What lies ahead for Zimbabwe under President Mnangagwa?
In this episode, we also discuss a campaign to save temporary protected status for Haitians in the US and the battle over the Keystone pipeline.
#SaveTPS
The Trump administration has determined that the temporary protection status issued to Haitians living in the United States after an earthquake in 2010, is no longer needed. Almost 60,000 Haitians living in the US now have until July 22, 2019 to go home, or change their visa status. Haitian activists say that conditions in Haiti are still poor and the country will not be able to cope with the sudden return of so many people.
Since the earthquake, the country has been hit with a cholera epidemic, two major hurricanes and unemployment is estimated to be more than 60 percent. Haitians living and working in the US are vital to the Haitian economy, with remittances making up 30 percent of the country’s GDP.
So how are Haitians in the US being affected by the decision, and what plans are they making?
#Zimbabwe
Emmerson Mnangagwa has been sworn in as president of Zimbabwe, the first change of power in 37 years. Mnangagwa, who served as former president Robert Mugabe’s deputy, is now tasked with handling an economic crisis and steering the country out of political tumult.
In a case seen as a barometer of judicial independence in the post-Mugabe era, on Wednesday a Zimbabwean court found activist Evan Mawarire not guilty of attempting to subvert the government. In 2016 his #ThisFlag movement began some of the largest protests the country had seen against corruption.
So what lies ahead for Zimbabwe under President Mnangagwa?
#KeystoneXL/#NoDAPL
The Keystone pipeline leak earlier this month spilled more than 200,000 gallons of oil into fields near Amherst, South Dakota; the third leak since construction began more than seven years ago. While cleanup continues, TransCanada resumed operations on Wednesday.
Activists have been keeping a close eye on the impact of the pipeline – to the environment and to Native Americans. In the US state of Minnesota another pipeline, Enbridge Energy’s Line 3, is under consideration. State regulators are scheduled to hold hearings in December, with a decision made in April 2018. The pipeline would transport more than 760,000 barrels of tar sands oil every day.
Tribal communities are deeply opposed to the project which they say will cross their land. We’ll speak to activists about their thoughts on the Dakota Access Pipeline, the Keystone XL and the potential dangers of Line 3.
On this episode of The Stream, we speak with:
Jacqueline Charles @Jacquiecharles
Caribbean correspondent, Miami Herald
Myrtha Abraham
TPS recipient
Pastor Evan Mawarire @PastorEvanLive
Founder, This Flag Citizen movement
Haru Mutasa @harumutasa
Africa correspondent, Al Jazeera English
Tara Houska @zhaabowekwe
National Campaigns Director, Honor the Earth
Read more:
Zimbabwe after Mugabe – Al Jazeera English
Haitian quake victims in the US will lose deportation protection in 2019 – Miami Herald
Keystone pipeline spill blamed on damage from its construction – The Hill
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