Zanu PF shows US middle finger over ‘interference’

**Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Harare, Elaine French**

Nyashadzashe Ndoro

Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu PF party has dismissed the United States Embassy’s claims that the government has been violating the rights of local opposition members following disputed 2023 harmonised general elections.

In an interview with Studio 7 on Thursday,

Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Harare, Elaine French told Studio 7 accused the government of brutalising opponents during and after the plebiscite.

She further urged the Zanu PF administration to institute democratic reforms.

“"We are deeply disturbed by some of the events that have happened since elections, in particular some of the violent acts against the opposition members and supporters, some of which have been injured and even killed,” she said.

“So, our message is very clear to the government of Zimbabwe. We urge them to take meaningful steps towards opening accountable and democratic governance.”

In response, Zanu PF rubbished the US Ambassador’s claim, saying Zimbabwe held democratic elections and the opposition did not challenge the results because they were not contested.

“I think the US is a bit misguided on the matter because if the elections were contested, we would have seen the issue taken to a court law. The opposition had seven days to take the matter to the court, and they did not,” Zanu PF information director, Farai Marapira told Zim Now.

“So, in the absence of this, we do not have any contestation of the elections. We do not have any disputation of these elections because this is the only legal route provided for in the Constitution that both the opposition and Zanu PF were partners in creating in 2013. So, in the absence of this legal framework, I don’t see how someone can stand up and say these elections are contested.”

Marapira accused Ms. French of pushing the US narrative that is not based on facts. He added that President Emmerson Mnangagwa has an open door policy that the US government can utilise.

“Be that as it may, we all know that most parties will seek to comment and push a narrative that is not based on facts but based on agenda reason and will of the US agenda. We know what they are up to, but the President has said he has got the open-door policy, a friend to all, and an enemy to none. Despite what the Americans are saying, our doors are open. We hope that one day, they will accept that the will of Zimbabweans is what rules supreme, not the will of the American government. We are all equal in this community of nations. As we respect their electoral findings, they should respect ours.

“As regards the issue of brutalisation of opposition members, this is something that is continuously being stated in the absence of material fact. We urge the United States to be responsible and state things that are substantiated not to enjoy speaking for the sake of speaking,” he added.