US Ambassador Brian Nichols has been summoned by the Zimbabwean government to explain the remarks by the US security adviser that Zimbabwe was stoking anti-racist protests in the country.
In an interview with American broadcaster ABC, US National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien, had said foreign adversaries were taking advantage of the ongoing protests and mentioned Zimbabwe and China.
The death in police custody of African-American George Floyd has caused violence to erupted in cities across the United States.
Mr. O’Brien said he had seen tweets from Chinese who were “taking pleasure and solace in the chaos in America”, but did not provide details on Zimbabwe’s alleged role to the protests.
But he said all foreign adversaries involved would not “get away with it”.
In response, Zimbabwe’s Foreign Minister Sibusiso Moyo, as quoted by state-run Herald newspaper said the US ambassador was expected to honour the summons, but gave no details about when the meeting would be held.
He said the government intends to remind the ambassador that Zimbabwe respects the sovereignty of other nations.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe government spokesman Nick Mangwana tweeted that the country did not consider itself an adversary of the US:
‘’ We prefer having friends and allies to having unhelpful adversity with any other nation including the USA,’’ he said in his post on Twitter.
Zimbabwe-US relations have been deteriorating over Zimbabwe’s poor human rights record.
Pro-government social media accounts in the country have suggested the US has lost its moral high ground as a result of the death of George Floyd and its treatment of protesters.
In a rare move, the African Union last week condemned the death of Mr. Floyd, urging the US to intensify its efforts to ensure the total elimination of racial discrimination. (Source: BBC)