This archive report was first published on 29 August 2019.
August 29, 2019
Harare, Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe's government has accused Western envoys of interfering in the country's internal affairs and fomenting unrest, following a request by the main opposition party for police clearance to hold fresh demonstrations.
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), led by Nelson Chamisa, had planned marches in five cities to protest against the deteriorating economic situation, but police banned the demonstrations citing intelligence that they would turn violent.
Home Affairs minister Cain Mathema said security forces were on high alert after the MDC issued notices that they would hold countrywide demonstrations between Friday and Saturday.
"The government of Zimbabwe is disturbed by the activities of some diplomatic missions in Zimbabwe, who are engaging in local politics and clearly showing open support for opposition parties in the country through various activities," the minister said.
"(We) are concerned by the security implications of these diplomatic missions' interference and visits to private residences of some opposition political party leaders under the guise of diplomatic engagements," he added.
The US Embassy in Harare dismissed allegations that the US Ambassador, Brian Nichols, had visited the home of a top MDC official to plot demonstrations against President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Western countries, including the European Union, France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, the UK, Australia, Canada, and the US, had condemned Zimbabwe's heavy-handed response to protests and the alleged abduction of opposition activists.
