Staff Reporter
Top United States of America (USA) Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of African Affairs, Ambassador Robert Scott will arrive in Zimbabwe today to discuss various issues of mutual interest between the two countries.
In a statement yesterday, spokesperson in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Levit Mugejo said that Ambassador Scott would be in the country from today until 3 March 2023 and will have discussions with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Frederick Shava and other Government Ministers.
“During the visit, Ambassador Robert Scott is scheduled to meet the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Hon Ambassador F.M. Shava together with relevant Government Ministers. The meeting is expected to review the recent US-Africa Leaders’ Summit which was held in Washington DC, and to which Zimbabwe was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Hon Ambassador Shava,” said Mugejo.
Mugejo added that Zimbabwe is expected to apprise Ambassador Scott on the AFDB Structured Dialogue Programme and the associated reform priorities which the Government has implemented, especially in the last five years.
Meanwhile, political analyst, Terrence Chipwanya said that the coming of Ambassador Scott was a testimony that President Mnangagwa’s engagement and re-engagement policy was bearing fruits.
“The coming of Ambassador Scott to Zimbabwe is a sign that relations between Washington and Harare are thawing. This is a testimony that President Mnangagwa’s engagement and re-engagement policy is bearing fruits. We just hope that when Ambassador Scott returns to his country, he will tell his President that Zimbabwe is a friend of all and an enemy to none,” said Chipwanya.
Chipwanya added that he has hope that America would soon soften its hard stance on Zimbabwe considering many political, social and economic reforms that the Second Republic has undertaken.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Scott is expected to arrive at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport this afternoon and would be welcomed by Minister Shava and other Government officials.
