We’ll continue working with Zim govt: Wharton

Politics
GWERU — The United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Bruce Wharton said his country’s disappointment with recent elections won by President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF party does not mean disengagement with the government.

GWERU — The United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Bruce Wharton said his country’s disappointment with recent elections won by President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF party does not mean disengagement with the government. STEPHEN CHADENGA OWN CORRESPONDENT

Wharton said Washington would continue exploring ways of assisting Zimbabwe in its economic recovery.

Addressing journalists on the sidelines of a tour of Naletale National Monuments in Somabhula yesterday, Wharton said although his country was grateful to the people of Zimbabwe for holding a peaceful election, it remained concerned about the manner in which the polls were conducted.

Wharton, however, said despite the flawed manner in which the elections were held, the US would continue to assist Zimbabwe in all sectors of the economy.

“We are so grateful to the people and the government of Zimbabwe for running a peaceful election. That was a major improvement from the 2008 poll and there is no question about that,” said Wharton.

“But as the African Union election report released a couple of weeks ago shows, there were serious problems with the elections. As the US government, we cannot see the election as credible, but that disappointment does not mean disengaging with the government of Zimbabwe,” he said.

Mugabe and his party have been accusing Western nations, particularly the US, for maintaining economic sanctions on Zimbabwe saying they do not want to recognise the outcome of the elections because they wanted to impose a puppet government on the country.

However, Wharton reiterated that his country only maintained targeted sanctions on individuals and companies.

“We have committed $125 million to the health sector. We have agricultural development programmes to assist small-scale holder farmers, so we are looking for ways to boost the economy,” Wharton said.