The United States embassy in Harare has refused to back down over tweets urging Zimbabweans to register and vote after its top diplomat was summoned to a meeting at the foreign affairs ministry on Tuesday, accused of election interference.

“We stand by our recent media posts calling for peace during the election season,” US embassy spokesperson Meg Riggs told the Voice of America’s Studio 7.

“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.”

Elaine French, the Charge d’Affaires at the US embassy in Harare, was summoned for a meeting with the acting foreign affairs secretary Rofina Chikava after the embassy posted a tweet urging Zimbabweans to “register to vote and make sure your voice is heard.”

A statement issued by the foreign ministry following the meeting said French “reiterated her mission’s commitment to improve its communication in line with expected diplomatic conduct.”

Chikava expressed concern over “election related-social media posts, bordering on activism and meddling in Zimbabwe’s internal affairs,” the ministry said.

“She stressed that 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). The ministry also urged the US embassy to refrain from posting such messages in the spirit of re-engagement between our two countries,” the statement added.

According to Riggs, the meeting “offered an opportunity for our two governments to articulate our policies and concerns.”

“It is the role of the embassy to communicate with the host nation government but it is also the role of the embassy to communicate with the people in each nation through traditional and social media including events that carry our educational, cultural and sports exchange programmes,” she said.

Maintaining that the United States does not support any single candidate or party, Riggs added: “We strongly support a transparent and peaceful process that reflects the will of the people of Zimbabwe.”

Zimbabweans vote in general elections in late August. Opposition parties accuse the ruling Zanu-PF party and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission of frustrating potential voters in traditional opposition hotbeds in a bid to influence the vote.

The United States embassy in Harare has refused to back down over tweets urging Zimbabweans to register and vote after its top diplomat was summoned to a meeting at the foreign affairs ministry on Tuesday, accused of election interference.

“We stand by our recent media posts calling for peace during the election season,” US embassy spokesperson Meg Riggs told the Voice of America’s Studio 7.

“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.”

Elaine French, the Charge d’Affaires at the US embassy in Harare, was summoned for a meeting with the acting foreign affairs secretary Rofina Chikava after the embassy posted a tweet urging Zimbabweans to “register to vote and make sure your voice is heard.”

A statement issued by the foreign ministry following the meeting said French “reiterated her mission’s commitment to improve its communication in line with expected diplomatic conduct.”

Chikava expressed concern over “election related-social media posts, bordering on activism and meddling in Zimbabwe’s internal affairs,” the ministry said.

“She stressed that 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). The ministry also urged the US embassy to refrain from posting such messages in the spirit of re-engagement between our two countries,” the statement added.

According to Riggs, the meeting “offered an opportunity for our two governments to articulate our policies and concerns.”

“It is the role of the embassy to communicate with the host nation government but it is also the role of the embassy to communicate with the people in each nation through traditional and social media including events that carry our educational, cultural and sports exchange programmes,” she said.

Maintaining that the United States does not support any single candidate or party, Riggs added: “We strongly support a transparent and peaceful process that reflects the will of the people of Zimbabwe.”

Zimbabweans vote in general elections in late August. Opposition parties accuse the ruling Zanu-PF party and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission of frustrating potential voters in traditional opposition hotbeds in a bid to influence the vote.

AGARTALA: Former South African allrounder Lance Klusener will take over as head of cricket operation of Tripura for the upcoming season, the state association announced on Wednesday.
TCA vice president Timir Chanda said he would arrive in the state capital Saturday to work with state’s cricketers for overall development. However, his exact designation was not revealed as he is yet to sign the contract.
The 51-year-old will look after the state’s eight teams in both men’s and women’s sections in various age groups, besides working with the Ranji side.
In the first phase, Klusener will stay here for 20 days and will watch and guide the cricketers.
Speaking to the media, Chanda said Klusener will be handed a 100-day contract which he would sign on Sunday.

“In March, this year, we floated an expression of interest seeking a coach for our cricketers.
“Initially, Dav Whatmore and Klusener showed interest in working with TCA. Later Whatmore pulled out on personal grounds but Klusener agreed to work with the local cricketers,” he said.
“We hope the cricketers will benefit from his vast international experience. Our cricketers are also excited to work with Klusener.”
The pace bowling left-hander, who was known for his aggressive batting, played 49 Tests and 171 ODIs for South Africa.
He previously worked as batting coach of South Africa and Zimbabwe and was the head coach of Afghanistan in the 2021 T20 World Cup.