WASHINGTON - The United States says it stands by its tweet in which it encouraged Zimbabweans to check and verify their names on the country’s voters’ roll following widespread complaints by citizens, including senior opposition officials, who claimed that they were struck off the national voters’ register.
In an audio message sent to VOA Zimbabwe Service, Ms. Meg Riggs, spokesperson of the U.S Embassy Harare, said America will continue to urge peace, transparency and inclusivity in Zimbabwe over the coming weeks, months and years as it stands by “our values of peace, transparency and inclusivity in electoral processes.”
She made these remarks after Ms. Elaine French, Charge d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy Harare, was summoned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the tweet posted on its official social media platform.
Ms. French met with Ambassador Rofina Chikava, acting permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Harare.
Ms. Riggs noted that the U.S Embassy appreciates that President Emmerson Mnangagwa has consistently called for peace and unity ahead of this year’s crucial general elections set for sometime this year.
“Today’s meeting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs offered an opportunity for our two governments to articulate our policies and concerns. It is the role of the Embassy to communicate with the host nation government but it is also the role of the Embassy to communicate with the people in each nation through traditional and social media including events that carry our educational, cultural and sports exchange programs.
“We stand by our recent media posts calling for peace during the election season. These neutral apolitical messages feature the work of Zimbabwean artists who wanted to engage their fellow youths on the importance of peace during the election process. Elections are a phenomenon part of a functioning democracy.”
Ms. Riggs said all Zimbabweans deserve a chance to choose their future and the United States does not support any single candidate or party.
“We strongly support a transparent and peaceful process that reflects the will of the people of Zimbabwe.”
At the same time, Chikava is said to have strongly protested over the tweet, urging Americans not to meddle in the country’s political processes.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Chikava expressed concern over the “election related-social media posts, bordering on activism and meddling in Zimbabwe’s internal affairs.”
The ministry said Chikava stressed that the conduct by the US Embassy was “unacceptable as it deviated from conventional diplomatic norms and values enshrined in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961).”
The Ministry also urged the US Embassy to “refrain from posting such messages in the spirit of re-engagement between our two countries.”
It said in her response, Ms French acknowledged government’s concerns and reiterated her mission’s commitment to improve its communication in line with expected diplomatic conduct.
She further expressed optimism in the continued collaboration between Zimbabwe and the US.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs further said Zimbabwe views the U.S.A as an important co-operating partner in its development goals, in line with the Engagement and Re-Engagement policy.
The U.S tweet challenged by Zimbabweans authorities reads, “Register to vote and make sure your voice is heard.”
The United States and its allies imposed targeted sanctions on some Zanu PF officials following claims of election rigging and human rights abuses.