United States Ambassador to Harare, Pamela Marie Tremont, has said Chinese investments in Zimbabwe have not improved the lives of ordinary citizens, pointing to rising poverty and growing inequalities as evidence, reported <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/chinese-investment-in-zimbabwe-not-benefiting-citizens-us-ambassador/">ZimLive</a>.
In a podcast interview with J.W. Oliver, Tremont said the number of Zimbabweans living below the poverty line has doubled since 2011, despite the substantial Chinese investment in the country. She added:
<blockquote>
Welfare equality in Zimbabwe is actually getting worse. The rich are getting richer. The poor are getting poorer.
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Tremont identified weak regulations as a key issue, particularly in the mining sector, where labour rights are frequently ignored, and workers are exposed to hazardous conditions. She said:
<blockquote>
Investors have come here without any guardrails, without any guarantees that what they’re taking out of the country is benefiting the people of Zimbabwe.
And so, a lot of that investment and job creation hasn’t really gone to benefit the people of Zimbabwe. Their labour rights aren’t protected.
They’re not paid a fair wage; they’re not given safe work environments. They work in horrific conditions, sometimes using child labour.
</blockquote>
Tremont urged the Zimbabwean government to ensure that foreign investments benefit citizens by providing fair wages and safe working conditions.
She contrasted Chinese investments with U.S.-backed initiatives like Zimworks, which she praised for adhering to higher ethical standards. Said the U.S. ambassador:
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U.S. companies bring a completely different standard of investment to Zimbabwe.
That’s why there’s such a hunger for more first-world investment, which avoids the abuses we’ve seen in sectors like mining.
</blockquote>
There is competition between the United States and China in Zimbabwe which is part of a broader geopolitical and geoeconomic rivalry playing out across Africa.
Since Zimbabwe gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1980, its relations with both the US and China have evolved.
Initially, Zimbabwe maintained strong ties with Western countries, but these relations deteriorated over issues such as land reforms and human rights.
In response, the US and other Western nations imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe, leading to its economic isolation.
This prompted Zimbabwe to seek new allies, adopting the “Look East” policy and strengthening its relationship with China.
As a result, China has become a major investor in Zimbabwe, particularly in sectors like mining, infrastructure, and agriculture.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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Chinese investment in Zimbabwe has not helped regular people. The US Ambassador said poverty has increased and the rich keep getting richer. Chinese companies in mining don't protect workers' rights. The Ambassador wants Zimbabwe to make sure foreign investments pay fair wages and keep workers safe. US companies, like Zimworks, are better at this. Zimbabwe used to be friends with the US but turned to China for help. China now invests a lot in Zimbabwe. The US and China are competing for influence in Africa.

Chinese Investment In Zimbabwe Has Not Benefited Ordinary Citizens - US Ambassador

The Government of Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, has dismissed the recent remarks made by the new United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Pamela Tremont, that the 2023 general elections were not free and fair.
In a statement released last week, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Jenfan Muswere, said Zimbabwe’s 2023 harmonised elections were conducted in full accordance with the country’s Constitution. He said:
<blockquote>
I wish to address the remarks made by the US Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Pamela M. Tremont, regarding our nation’s electoral process.
It is important to reaffirm that Zimbabwe’s elections were conducted in accordance with our Constitution. Zimbabweans voted in a transparent, fair and democratic process which saw President Emmerson Mnangagwa being re-elected.
The decision on who leads and governs Zimbabwe is made by Zimbabweans. We have a robust and independent electoral system that ensures the will of the people is respected.
It is a testament to our sovereignty and our commitment to democratic principles that we handle our internal affairs with integrity and dedication.
</blockquote>
Muswere went further to suggest that the United States itself has experienced disputed elections in the past, and therefore lacks the moral authority to lecture other countries, including Zimbabwe, on the matter of free and fair elections. He said:
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I also want to appeal to the US ambassador to reflect on the 2000 US presidential election between President George W. Bush and Al Gore and the recent election between President Biden and Mr Donald Trump.
These were complex situations that tested the resilience of American democracy. However, the United States handled it within its own legal and constitutional framework.
In this spirit, the US cannot be the international electoral body to run elections in Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
Muswere went further to point out that the United States has also experienced instances of politically motivated violence, such as the recent attempted assassination of Republican Party presidential candidate Donald Trump. He said:
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The former president is being dragged to court in what many observers say is tantamount to undemocratic practices.
In Zimbabwe, we are a friend to all and an enemy to none. We believe that a stable and peaceful United States is beneficial for the entire world.
As such, we urge our American counterparts to concentrate on addressing their internal challenges, fostering unity, and ensuring a safe environment for their candidates and citizens during this critical election period.
</blockquote>
In a press conference held in Harare on Thursday, Tremont said that Zimbabwe’s 2023 general elections were not free and fair, though she did so in diplomatic language. She said:
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You know, we had some real problems with the elections here. So did SADC, and so did the EU. 
Unfortunately, we were not able to verify the elections ourselves because our election observers’ activities were impeded.
So we cannot testify one way or the other. So we do have concerns about the way the elections were run. 
But in the meantime, I look forward to working with all the political parties to get to understand their viewpoints and see how they, interact with each other.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The government of Zimbabwe said the 2023 elections were fair, US ambassador disagrees. The government said US has had disputed elections too, shouldn't lecture. US ambassador said there were problems with the elections in Zimbabwe, couldn't verify. Both sides have different opinions on the fairness of the elections. US ambassador wants to work with all political parties.

Zimbabwe Rejects US Ambassador's Criticism Of 2023 Elections

The United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Pamela Tremont, has called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration to uphold democratic principles and ensure transparency, saying these are the values “the Zimbabwean people fought for in the liberation struggle”.
Tremont presented her credentials to President Mnangagwa at the State House on Wednesday morning officially beginning her diplomatic tour of duty in the country.
Addressing the media in Harare on Thursday, Tremont said the responsibility lies with the Zimbabwean government to uphold the rule of law and respect constitutionalism. She said (via <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/economic-growth-in-zimbabwe-is-impossible-without-respect-for-human-rights-says-new-usa-ambassador/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>):
<blockquote>
Broad-based economic prosperity is impossible without strong democratic institutions, good public health, and regional security.
The United States supports these things because they are critical elements for Zimbabweans to chart their future.
The democratic principles that we advocate for in Zimbabwe are based on the protection of the rights that are enshrined in the Zimbabwean constitution.
These are the rights and protection that the Zimbabwean people fought for in the liberation struggle.
They happen to be many of the shared protections in the Constitution. We believe that Zimbabwe should uphold its constitution because that is what people here deserve.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe’s relations with the United States have been strained since around 2000 when the Zimbabwean government launched its fast-track land reform program, which resulted in the seizure of farms owned by white landowners.
In response, the U.S. government has maintained targeted sanctions on Zimbabwe since 2001.
While these sanctions were removed earlier this year, President Mnangagwa and his close associates were then sanctioned under the U.S. Magnitsky Act for alleged serious human rights abuses and corruption. She said:
<blockquote>
Our sanctions transition in March was a historic event. We eliminated the Zimbabwe-specific targeted sanctions and we put fewer people on the global magnitsky list.
The global Magnitsky holds people accountable for corruption and human rights abuses and prevents US financial institutions from being complicit.
On the policy issue, I want to improve relations. That is what every ambassador wants to do in the country they come to.
So I am looking at new ways to do that with the Zimbabwean government, civil society, and business.
</blockquote>
The United States had not had a serving ambassador in Zimbabwe since 2021, when the previous envoy, Brian Nichols, departed.
Since then, Elaine French has been serving as the Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Harare until Tremont presented her credentials.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The new U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Pamela Tremont, wants the country to uphold democratic principles and transparency. She believes these values are important for the Zimbabwean people to move forward. The United States supports these things because they are crucial for a better future for Zimbabweans. Relations between Zimbabwe and the U.S. have been strained in the past, but the U.S. recently removed some sanctions. Ambassador Tremont is focused on improving relations with Zimbabwe through new ways of cooperation. She is the first serving U.S. ambassador to Zimbabwe since 2021.

New U.S. Ambassador, Pamela Tremont, Challenges Zimbabwe To Uphold Democratic Principles

The newly appointed United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Pamela Marie Tremont, presented her credentials to President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the State House on Wednesday morning, officially beginning her diplomatic tour of duty in the country.
The United States had not had a serving ambassador in Zimbabwe since 2021, when the previous envoy, Brian Nichols, departed.
Since then, Elaine French has been serving as the Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Harare.
Speaking to reporters shortly after the credential presentation ceremony, Ambassador Tremont stated that the United States’ goal has consistently been to continue supporting the people of Zimbabwe as they work towards building a more democratic and prosperous future for their nation. Said Tremont:
<blockquote>
It’s an honour and a privilege to be the United States ambassador to the Republic of Zimbabwe. I had a lovely meeting with President Mnangagwa just now.
I passed on President Biden’s greetings to him and we discussed ways we can improve the relationship between the U.S. and Zimbabwe.
Our goal here in Zimbabwe has always been, and my goal is to continue to support Zimbabweans as they build a more democratic and prosperous future so Zimbabwe can be democtratic and self-reliant with whom we can partner as we face global challenges around the world.
I was pleased to discuss with President Mnangagwa the current drought situation and inform him that in the coming days, we will have another announcement about more food security support for the Zimbabwean people.
Our commitment to Zimbabwe has been longstanding. We have contributed US$5 billion to the Zimbabwean people since independence in health, de-mining, entrepreneurship, agriculture and other economic prosperity initiatives.
We are happy to continue that and we will always be a reliable and consistent partner to Zimbabwe.
I also thank President Mnangagwa for the condolences he sent to President Biden after Saturday’s shooting which resulted in the injury of former President [Donald] Trump and the death of a man who was protecting his family.
I appreciate those condolences and we agree that political violence is abhorrent and doesn’t belong to the U.S. or any other country.
So now that I have presented my credentials, I am very much looking forward to getting around Zimbabwe, meeting a lot more Zimbabwean people and enjoying the natural beauty, the talented people and seeing everything has to offer.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The new US Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Pamela Marie Tremont, met President Mnangagwa to start her job. The US did not have an ambassador in Zimbabwe since 2021. Tremont wants to help Zimbabwe become more democratic and prosperous. The US gave $5 billion to Zimbabwe for health, agriculture, and more. They plan to give more food support soon. Tremont is excited to explore Zimbabwe and meet the people. She and President Mnangagwa talked about ending political violence. The US wants to be a good friend to Zimbabwe.

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