United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray says his country does not favor any Zimbabwean political party but wants Zimbabwe to have a non-violent and credible electoral contest whose outcome will be honored and not disputed.
In remarks at a Southern African Political Economy Series (SAPES) dialogue on the future of US-Zimbabwe relations, Ray said America wants to see an environment where all parties have the same ability to present themselves to the public and compete to represent them in government.
Ray said the United States fully believes that ZANU-PF has an important role to play in Zimbabwe’s future, adding so does the other political parties in the unity government - the MDC formations of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Industry Minister Welshman Ncube.
He said the two MDCs have the right to challenge the way things have been done so far in the country.
Ray said the US valued the coalition government and recognized there are progressive minded people from all the political parties in the unity government.
Meanwhile, members of the Zimbabwe Organization of Youth in Politics say they have gone into hiding following an incident last week in which alleged ZANU-PF youths disrupted a meeting in Kwekwe that was to be addressed by Ambassador Ray.
Excutive director Nkosilathi Moyo and programs officer Jasper Maphosa say they have gone into hiding after being attacked and threatened.
The organization says threats and attacks intensified after they organized a meeting last week for the youth in Kwekwe, aiming to bring all youth together regardless of political affiliation.
But some elements in ZANU-PF charge they are supporting efforts to effect regime change in the country.
Maphosa told VOA Studio 7 reporter Tatenda Gumbo the organization’s leaders have been continuously targeted since the aborted meeting last week, adding it was not until he was beaten up that they decided to go into hiding.
The youth officials say they are seeking assistance from the police, but have found their response unhelpful.
