Zimbabwe’s government has summoned the US ambassador to that country, Mr Brian Nichols over a comment made by one of President Donald Trump’s advisers.
Trump’s National Security Advisor, Robert O’Brien on Sunday told American media that Zimbabwe, China, Russia and Iran were among “foreign adversaries” stocking and taking advantage of the anti-racist protests happening in America.
O’Brien said these countries were doing that to hopefully interfere in America’s internal affairs.
The street-anti-racist protests that are currently taking place in America are in response to the killing of black man, George Floyd by a police officer last month.
Mr O’Brien said that he had seen tweets from Chinese who were “taking pleasure and solace in the chaos in America”.
He however didn’t give further details on Zimbabwe’s alleged role to the protests but said “This isn’t something that our adversaries are gonna get away with for free.”
Pressed by @GStephanopoulos on evidence that foreign adversaries are exploiting U.S. unrest, O’Brien points to social media activity from China “coming straight from the government.”
He also names Zimbabwe, Iran and says “there may be Russian activists.” https://t.co/8NuFvYRECl pic.twitter.com/nApMWEuMfs
— ABC News (@ABC) May 31, 2020
Zimbabwe rejects allegations
But the Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services in Zimbabwe, Nick Mangwana reacted saying “Zimbabwe does not consider itself America’s adversary.
We prefer having friends and allies to having unhelpful adversity with any other nation including the USA.”
Zimbabwe does not consider itself America’s adversary. We prefer having friends and allies to having unhelpful adversity with any other nation including the USA. https://t.co/x8OUAskzLZ
— Nick Mangwana (@nickmangwana) May 31, 2020
Zimbabwean officials are expected to remind the US envoy in the country all nations respecting the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.
Herald Newspaper quoted a senior official as saying that “Anyone who has seen the genesis of recent events, from the tragic death of Mr Floyd to the subsequent protests, will realise that any accusations of Zimbabwean involvement at any stage is farcical.”
Source: Africafeeds.com
