Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. THE US Embassy has resisted attempts by the government to shut down its social media campaign encouraging Zimbabweans to register and vote in the August general election.
Government Monday summoned US Embassy Chargé D’Affaires Elaine French to berate her over a series of election-related posts made by the embassy.
Speaking to Voice of America’s Studio 7, Tuesday, embassy Spokesperson Meg Riggs said they stood by their ‘tweet.’
“We stand by our recent media posts calling for peace during the election season,” said Riggs.
“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.”
Zimbabwe votes on August 23, this year with America and other countries closely observing how the plebiscite will pan out.
Claims of attempted rigging by Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and shadowy Forever Associates Zimbabwe (FAZ) have been raised.
“Chikava expressed concern over the Mission’s election related social media posts, bordering on activism and meddling in Zimbabwe’s internal affairs,” Ministry Spokesperson Livit Mugejo had said after their meeting.
“Chikava said 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).”
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