Tafadzwa Nyikadzino

The acrimonious relationship between The United States of America and Zimbabwe seems to have worsened as the two countries failed to make amends from a meeting which was held yesterday between Foreign Affairs Minister Sibusiso Moyo and U.S Ambassador to Zimbabwe Brian O Nichols.

The meeting was called after the U.S National Security Adviser Robert O’Brian named Zimbabwe among foreign adversaries that are trying to take advantage of the violence in America to sow discord and damage its democracy. He also made threats that the US is not going to allow its adversaries to get away for free.

Disturbed by these sentiments, Zimbabwe summoned Ambassador Nichols to explain O’Brian’s remarks. But the statement released by U.S Ambassador shows that the two states did not make any amends, as he urged the Zimbabwean government to end state sponsored violence against peaceful protesters, civil society, labour leaders and members of the opposition in Zimbabwe, and to hold  accountable those responsible for human rights abuses.

“..I urge Zimbabwe’s government to end state sponsored violence against peaceful protestors, civil society, labour leaders and members of the opposition in Zimbabwe, and to hold accountable those responsible for human rights abuses” said Ambassador Nichols.

He also cautioned the government for denying America the right to speak on their fate, reminding them that Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere and that whatever affects one person affects all indirectly.

On the Ongoing protest in America over the murder of George Floyd, Ambassador Nichols said his government has vowed to deliver justice on his death, but questioned Zimbabwe if it will ever deliver justice on 3 female activists, MP Johana Mamombe, Cecilia Chinembiri and Netsai Marova who were allegedly abducted and tortured for holding demonstrations, and activists like Itai Dzamara who are yet to be found after facing abductions.

“..Mr Floyd’s murder was a tragedy that has filled Americans with horror and anger. Mr Floyd’s Killer was charged with murder in days. Every American official from our President to Minnepolis’African American police Chief Medaria Arradondo has vowed to deliver justice. Zimbabweans surely wonder when, after so many years, Patrick Nabanyama, Itai Dzamara and Paul Chizuze will get justice”.

He concluded that America would continue to speak out for justice whether home or abroad. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Sibusiso Moyo also released a statement where he described O’Brian’s sentiments on Zimbabwe as false “allegations without any factual foundation”, saying “they are deeply damaging to a relationship already complicated by years of prescriptive megaphone diplomacy and punitive economic sanctions.

“Zimbabwe is not and never has been an adversary to the United States of America. I informed the Ambassador that Zimbabwe seeks normal, cooperative relationship with the USA based on mutual understanding, mutual respect and non-interference in each  other’s internal affairs, the very opposite of the characterisation voiced by Mr O’Brian,” said Moyo.

Minister Moyo said Zimbabwe condemns the violence, arson and looting currently taking place in the U.S.A although the country added a voice against the killing of an unarmed and helpless black man by a white police official.

“Whereas we certainly add our voice to the many others including that of African Union and the United Nations who expressed their deep concern at the killing by a uniformed white official of Mr George Floyd, an unarmed, handcuffed, helpless black man, we unreservedly condemn the violence, arson and looting which have turned usually quiet neighbourhoods into scenes of chaos and destruction and where, tragically, further innocent lives have been lost” Moyo said.

He also urged U.S.A to recall the harsh criticism and condemnation of Zimbabwe’s response to opposition political formations, its automatic presumption of state capture and assumptions of institutionalised disregard for human rights or rule of law, saying these reflect double standards on U.S policy towards Zimbabwe.

“We take note of the measures deployed by the US authorities to deal with the challenges currently confronting them. At the same time, we recall the harsh US criticism and condemnation of our own response to multiple instances of illegal, violent civil unrest incited, largely by opposition political formations determined to render the country ungovernable; we recall their automatic presumption of state culpability in instances of alleged abduction, and their assumption of an institutionalised disregard for human rights or rule of law within our Government; and we reflect on the lack of balance and even the double standards so evident in US policy towards Zimbabwe” he said.

Minister Moyo expressed his hope to see the U.S taking an even handed and less prescriptive approach and acknowledge the reform efforts and progress being made by the New Dispensation to reach a more open, sincere and practical dialogue about how the two governments can work together for the benefit of the two nations. 

But Ambassador Brian’s made it clear that his country will continue to speak against injustices performed home or abroad to change the world for a better place. The failure of the two countries to reach a common understanding regarding their approach to events unfolding in their respective countries will obviously widen the existing acrimony.