Zimpapers Logo

Richard Muponde Zimpapers Politics Hub

TWO months after assuming office, United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Pamela Tremont has taken a markedly different tone in her recent remarks.

Ms Tremont used a conciliatory language at the delayed 248th United States Independence celebrations held in Harare last Thursday, which many interpreted as an indication by Washington to mellow things down.

The US imposed a sanctions on the country at the turn of the millennium after Zimbabwe embarked on the Fast Track Land Reform Programme, which was aimed at addressing the skewed land ownership, which favoured the white minority settlers.

Over 360 000 indigenous people benefited from the land resettlement programme as opposed to only 4 500 white commercial farmers who previously owned most of the arable land.

Relations between Washington and Harare turned sour after the former imposed sanctions under the Zimbabwe Democracy and Recovery Act (ZIDERA) of 200.

Subsequent United States ambassadors to Zimbabwe took a cue from the mother country to directly interfere in the internal political affairs of the country by funding NGOs and opposition political parties in a move authorities viewed as regime change machinations.

Fast forward to 2024 and the United States has a new envoy whose tone seems to be different from the previous ambassadors. It may be too early to judge, but Ms Tremont seems keen on charting a different path.

Her less acerbic rhetoric represents a departure from her earlier combative statements regarding Zimbabwe’s 2023 elections.

Ms Tremont said the historical ties that bind Zimbabwe and her country must form the basis for mutual beneficial relations.

She said the United States was the first country to establish diplomatic relations with Zimbabwe in 1980 when the country attained independence from British colonial rule.

“Looking back, it is lost sometimes that the United States and Zimbabwe share revolutionary history. The guarantee of life and liberty was the goal at both Independence Hall in Philadelphia in 1776 and Lancaster House 203 years later, as both Americans and Zimbabweans sought self-governance over extractive and unrepresentative rule. These were rights fought for and won through years of bloody war and sacrifice,” Mr Tremont said.

She said as the United States hoisted its flag over its embassy in independent Zimbabwe with the late Dr Joshua Nkomo in attendance, it became the first nation to sign a bilateral aid agreement with the new Government.

“We signed that day a contribution of US$2 million for the rehabilitation of rural health clinics damaged or destroyed in the war. Your health minister pointedly thanked us for the “down payment.”

His words were prescient. It was, in fact, a down payment. Since that day, the United States has contributed more than US$5 billion in health, development, and humanitarian support, making the US, Zimbabwe’s largest source of bilateral assistance.”

Ms Tremont said while the assistance rendered was measured in dollars, the impact of the aid needed to be measured in millions of Zimbabwean lives saved and thousands of communities supported by new economic growth.

Her sincerity in wanting better relations with Zimbabwe were evidenced by call for cordial relations going forward saying the relations must be characterised by mutual understanding and fighting global challenges including climate change.

“So let’s talk about the future of the US, Zimbabwe relationship. In fact, we consider all the assistance I just referenced, not just a down payment, but an investment in Zimbabwe’s future. Our goal is a self-sufficient Zimbabwe in which all Zimbabweans can thrive and that can be a US partner in advancing our mutual interests and meeting global challenges,” said Ms Tremont.

Could Ms Tremont’s mellowing be a result of her country’s awareness of the changes in the global geopolitical landscape where China’s growing influence in Africa is becoming a matter of concern to the United States?

Either way, by adopting a more conciliatory approach, the US appears to be recognising the need to engage with Zimbabwe constructively, rather than resorting to the “Big Brother” mentality that has characterised the frosty relationship in the past.

This shift could pave the way for a mutually beneficial partnership, where both countries work together to address regional and global challenges without the burden of past tensions.

The ambassador’s shift from her previous combative rhetoric may be influenced by several factors, including the realisation that the 2023 Zimbabwe elections are a fait accompli and that the SADC Summit held in Zimbabwe endorsed the electoral process, contrary to the US’ expectations.

Additionally, the outgoing SADC Troika Chairman, Hakainde Hichilema, also gave clean bill of health to the elections held in the region, including those in Zimbabwe, further emphasising the legitimacy of the electoral process.

This recognition may have prompted the US to recalibrate its approach and seek a more constructive engagement with Government.

Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Dr Frederick Shava is of the view that the United States needs to unconditionally remove sanctions it imposed at the turn of the millennium.

Dr Shava said it was in the interest of both Zimbabwe and the United States in building a mutually beneficial relationship, one that is characterised by mutual respect, understanding, and a shared commitment to addressing regional and global challenges.

“We believe that there is no need for the remaining sanctions on Zimbabwe. We hope the United States would be able to do their own assessment and see that it is not helpful to maintain sanctions on Zimbabwe,” said Dr Shava.

By moving away from the adversarial approach of the past, Dr Shava said the two countries could explore areas of cooperation that serve the interests of both nations and their people.

As the US and Zimbabwe navigate this new chapter in their relationship, it will be crucial for both sides to approach the partnership with willingness to find common ground.

Only then can they truly unlock the potential of a strengthened Zimbabwe-US relationship, one that is not defined by the “Big Brother” mentality, but by a genuine partnership of equals.