Transcript of US Embassy interview with Enos Denhere, Freelance investigative Journalist
Enos Denhere- End of 2022 President Biden hosted a three-day summit to deepen connections with African partners based on mutual respect and shared interests and values. It also provided an opportunity to listen to and engage with African counterparts on crucial issues that the US and Africa see as critical to the continent’s and our global community’s future. I’d like to understand more about the relationship between Zimbabwe and the United States of America. How are the countries’ foreign trade relations?
USA Embassy-The U.S. government works to highlight opportunities for trade and investment that will benefit U.S. and Zimbabwean businesses alike. In 2022, Zimbabwe exported $86.5 million worth of goods to the United States and the United States sold $41.1 million in goods to Zimbabwe. The United States welcomes the opportunity to increase bilateral trade with Zimbabwe. There is no U.S. bilateral trade embargo against Zimbabwe and, similarly, there are no restrictions against U.S. companies doing business in Zimbabwe.
Enos Denhere- Is “bad diplomacy” on the rise in Zimbabwe? According to some sections of state media, Harare claimed last year that the US Embassy was scolding it like a child/Would you agree that bilateral relations between the United States and Zimbabwe are now excellent? 2a) What do you believe could be improved?2b) What steps are you taking to improve your relations with the host country? What do you think Zimbabwe should do to improve relations with you?
USA Embassy-The United States stands by the commitments we made to the people of Zimbabwe at independence in 1980; to work together to promote democratic institutions, equitable economic growth, public health, and food security. Though the governments of the United States and Zimbabwe may differ on the best means of achieving a better future for all Zimbabweans, we seek to engage in a respectful dialogue that upholds the universal values and rights Zimbabweans fought so hard to gain 40 years ago. Zimbabwe must implement necessary political, democratic, and economic reforms, in line with Zimbabwe’s own Constitution and their international human rights obligations, to provide Zimbabwean citizens the prosperity, security, and well-being they deserve.
Enos Denhere: How do you intend to strengthen the bonds between Zimbabwe and other African countries so that they can better support each other in the current economic climate?
USA Embassy-The Biden Administration aims to strengthen ties with African partners based on mutual respect. We are engaging countries as equal partners to achieve our shared priorities and common interests, including health security and climate change. The U.S. Africa Leaders Summit was convened in that spirit.
Enos Denhere: Providing scholarships to students in Zimbabwe, if I’m not mistaken, you are the top-ranking nation. What are the finest chances for students who want to visit, work, or study in the United States?
USA Embassy-There are over 1,500 Zimbabwean students currently studying at American colleges and universities. Zimbabweans are eligible to apply for a wide range of educational and professional exchange programs administered by the State Department and American universities.
Enos Denhere: It seems the US have agreed to restart the process of issuing journalist visas. How important do you think it is to get back to a status quo where Journalists from Zimbabwe will have firsthand activities in the United States generally associated with the news gathering process and reporting on current events?
USA Embassy-The United States supports the freedoms of speech, assembly, and affiliation of all Zimbabwean citizens, journalists included. To that it is crucial that journalists have the capacity and necessary skills required to effectively carry out their duties.
Enos Denhere: Do you have any humanitarian projects you are doing/ have done for the people of Zimbabwe? What role is the US government playing to alleviate when there will be Zimbabwe’s food shortage? How critical is the need for food aid in Zimbabwe?
USA Embassy-Since Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, the U.S. government has provided over $4.5 billion to the Zimbabwean people in humanitarian, health, and development assistance. The U.S. government has provided more than $1 billion in the last three years alone.
The majority of this assistance has been the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) that works in 44 of Zimbabwe’s 63 districts. In just 2022–2023, the United States committed more than $203 million to support a comprehensive package of prevention, treatment, and support services. Under PEPFAR, the U.S. government provides lifesaving antiretroviral medicines to more than 1.2 million HIV-positive Zimbabweans, ensuring viral load suppression in 1,160,493 (95% on anti-retroviral therapy) individuals. PEPFAR also contributes nearly $76 million annually to support salary and incentives for more than 21,700 healthcare workers in Zimbabwe, including nurses, lab scientists, social workers, and community health workers, to deliver and improve HIV care and treatment services.
Enos Denhere: Is there any likelihood of seeing US companies in the 2023 ZITF expo?
USA Embassy-The United States continues to engage the citizens of Zimbabwe and will be participating in the upcoming trade fair.
Denhere is a freelance investigative journalist. — enosdenhere@gmail.com or WhatsApp +263773894975.
