THE United States has reacted angrily to violent protests targeted at the country’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Bruce Wharton by Zanu PF supporters, saying Zimbabwe must protect diplomats from such activities. REPORT BY MOSES MATENGA STAFF REPORTER
In response to questions from journalists during a Press briefing on Wednesday, the State department challenged the Zimbabwean government to ensure the security of diplomats operating in their country.
“While the right to peaceful protest is a critical element of democracy, we regret that the protestors were not willing to engage in a more constructive manner,” the official said.
“We call on the Government of Zimbabwe to ensure the safety and security of diplomatic personnel, and to condemn the harassment and intimidation of peaceful exchanges between the US and the Zimbabwean people.”
This is not the first time a US diplomat has been accosted in Zimbabwe.
Former US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray, who was replaced by Wharton, had a similar encounter in Chegutu where placard-waving war veterans demonstrated against him.
The US has become sensitive to how their diplomats are treated in different countries since they lost their ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens in Benghazi last year.
Stevens and three other Americans were killed in an attack that Washington officials suspect was carried out by militants linked to the al-Qaida terrorist group.
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Last year, President Robert Mugabe torched a storm when he compared the death of Stevens to that of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
In his personal account of what transpired in Manicaland, Wharton yesterday said near Rusape he and his team were asked to leave the venue for “security reasons” after a group of more than 20 protesters invaded the venue where he was supposed to officiate.
In Mutare at the Turner Memorial Library, a group of more than 100 placard-waving Zanu PF youths “remarkably similar to those seen in Rusape” entered the auditorium singing revolutionary songs and denouncing the US for imposing sanctions on Zimbabwe.
“I decided to try to speak with them, and spent about ten minutes saying ‘thank you for sharing your opinion, I understand your concerns, could we have a conversation about these issues?’ The young people were aggressive, but not violent.
“There was a lot of shouting, chanting, jumping, pounding on tables, many angry voices, and at least one person began to disrobe. Alcohol may have been a factor in their comportment,” the ambassador said.
“Someone tore the head off life-sized photograph of President Obama and others began dancing on the US flag. The library director, some of his staff, and my colleagues from the embassy stood with me during this unfortunate failure to communicate. I am grateful to them.
“As loud, close, and aggressive as these young people were, it became apparent that they were not interested in a meaningful conversation so I decided to leave.”
