ZIMBABWE’S foreign ministry has called in the United States’ Deputy Ambassador, Elaine French, for a meeting following a series of tweets from the US Embassy calling for a peaceful election in a country known for its history of violent and disputed votes. The ministry accused the embassy of engaging in ‘election-related social media posts bordering on activism and meddling in Zimbabwe’s internal affairs.’
The specific issue raised by the Zimbabwe foreign ministry was a tweet posted on May 26, which encouraged Zimbabweans to ‘Register to vote and make sure your voice is heard.’ Another tweet from the embassy stated, ‘Zimbabwe’s constitution grants citizens the right to choose their representatives in legitimate, credible, & peaceful elections.’ The ministry deemed the tweet urging voter registration as a violation of diplomatic protocols.
Responding to the summons, US Embassy spokeswoman Meg Riggs defended their social media posts, saying, ‘We stand by our recent social media posts calling for peace during the election season. Elections are a part of a functioning democracy.’
Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa has indicated that the elections will take place in August without specifying a specific date. However, reports of violence and intimidation against opposition parties have already emerged, with allegations directed at ruling party activists and security forces. Mnangagwa’s ZANU-PF ruling party and the government have denied these claims, but human rights groups have raised concerns about intimidation and the suppression of criticism amid a currency crisis and steep increases in food prices.
The United States has maintained sanctions against Zimbabwe for the past two decades due to alleged human rights abuses, which began under the regime of former President Robert Mugabe. Mugabe led Zimbabwe from its independence in 1980 until he was ousted in a coup in 2017, subsequently replaced by Mnangagwa.
Zimbabwe has a history of violent and contested elections since gaining independence, and the upcoming vote is expected to be closely contested.