President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa’s letter to attend the funeral of England’s Queen Elizabeth II has been rejected.
Truetells Nigeria learnt that the late Queen’s son, King Charles III disapprove of the African president’s request over an alleged human rights violation in his country.
Mnangagwa was said to have in a condolence letter to the king requested to honour the Queen’s funeral despite not being included in the list of world leaders that had been invited to the event at Buckingham Palace.
King Charles, however, in a statement by the deputy to the Senior Correspondence Officer, Miss Jennie Vine, said Zimbabwean President’s request could not be granted.
The said statement read, “His Majesty King Charles III, has asked me to inform you that President Mnangagwa’s request cannot be granted as it would go against the restrictions, including those of travel that the United Kingdom has in place with regards to many of the Zimbabwean governmental leadership and those connected to them. There is also concern at the confirmed reports of non-adherence to respecting human rights occurring in Zimbabwe.
As you stated in your additional letter, other world leaders, including those from Africa, have been invited and we note your concern that President Mnangagwa has not been invited and for good international relations you feel he should be, however, the restrictions still apply.”