Members of the MDC-UK demonstrated at the Zimbabwe Embassy in London on Thursday, beginning three days of protests that are planned at the Embassy this week. Friday, April 18 is Zimbabwe's Independence Day and there will be protests at the Embassy in London, at the University of Cape Town in South Africa and at also one in Vancouver, Canada.

At the London protest on Thursday, MDC activist Bernard Matongo said the police blocked the doors to the Embassy on the Strand, as MDC members attempted to go inside. He explained that the police were trying to prevent a repeat of what transpired on Tuesday when activists from the MDC-UK Women's Assembly made it past the lobby area and took down the obligatory photo of Mugabe.

Matongo said that at the Thursday protest they sang and chanted at the Embassy entrance while others collected signatures for a petition to present at the South African Embassy later the same day. About 30 pages of signatures had been collected so far. "Nowhere in history have elections been held and results not been announced," said Matongo. "This is why the diaspora must be involved."

When they went to the South African Embassy, MDC-UK chairperson Jonathan Chawora said the Ambassador was not on the premises but the petition was accepted on his behalf. He explained that the petition calls on President Thabo Mbeki and SADC to pressure Mugabe to respect the will of the Zimbabwean people. "We also want Mugabe to stop the orgy of violence that he has unleashed as retribution for those who voted for the MDC," said Chawora. The police were reported to be cooperative.

The three days of demonstrations outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London will continue on Friday with an Independence Day protest, organised by Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA).

There will be an Independence Day protest in South Africa as well on Friday, organised by the Save Zimbabwe Campaign Coalition. The group is a non-profit coalition of Zimbabwean advocacy organisations that seek to highlight human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. The protest is to mourn the death of democracy in Zimbabwe and it will be held at the University of Cape Town, at the Upper Campus. The group urges the Zimbabwean government to restore the rule of law, stop all forms of brutalisation of opposition supporters on the farms and rural areas and stop abusing the courts and state resources.

In Vancouver, Canada, the Solidarity for Zimbabwe Forum have organised a mass demonstration at 'The Art Gallery.' Coordinator Canaan Mhlanga said they are protesting the delay in announcing results by the ZEC and violence against the opposition. He explained that Zimbabweans were so excited on March 29 when elections proceeded without much violence. Many in Canada were preparing to go back home to help rebuild the country and be with their families. But the excitement died soon after. The Vancouver demo is being supported by Amnesty International, Oxfam, Student Unions and The Anglican Diocese for Peace. MP Dr. Keith Martin will be the guest speaker, a man who has been very vocal about Zimbabwean issues in the Canadian parliament.

On Saturday The Vigil group in the UK will be protesting the planned recounting of Parliamentary and Presidential votes by ZANU-PF. They will be also be re-launching their petition calling on the EU to suspend aid to SADC countries. Special guests will be Lucky Moyo of Black Umfolozi fame and Willard Karanga, formerly of Thomas Mapfumo's band.

All over the world, organisations and Zimbabweans are bringing attention to the refusal by Robert Mugabe to accept defeat. This is clearly the beginning of the end for Mugabe. The only question is, how long will it take and can the world maintain the pressure that is required?