Zimbabwe Summons US Diplomat Over Social Media Posts

The Zimbabwean government summoned the acting US ambassador to the country over election-related social media posts, which it said amounted to activism and meddling in internal affairs.

Last week, the US embassy encouraged Zimbabweans to register to vote “and make sure your voice is heard”.

In a statement on Tuesday, Rofina Chikava, Zimbabwe’s acting permanent secretary in the ministry of foreign affairs, confirmed the meeting.

She had told Elaine French, the US embassy’s charge d’affaires, that the posts were unacceptable and deviated from diplomatic norms, Ms Chikava said.

A spokeswoman for the US embassy said there was no problem with the social media posts, while also confirming the meeting between the two.

“We stand by our recent social media posts calling for peace during the election season,” Meg Riggs, the spokeswoman, is quoted as saying.

Tensions are rising ahead of the planned general elections.

The opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has called for an audit into the voters’ roll citing missing names, including some of its officials and voters being moved several kilometres away from their wards of residence.

The electoral body has said the ongoing voters’ roll inspection exercise will resolve some of these anomalies.

Source: BBC