Zimbabwe's foreign ministry on Wednesday summoned U.S. Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Ellen French after accusing her and her diplomatic mission of interfering in the country's elections.
This comes after the US embassy posted a tweet on Monday urging the people of Zimbabwe to "register to vote, and make sure their voice is heard" in the upcoming presidential and general elections.
Register to vote and make sure your voice is heard. pic.twitter.com/Gd5YLKh0KM
— U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe (@USEmbZim) May 26, 2023
The U.S. official met Zimbabwe's acting foreign minister, Ruvina Chikafa, but their meeting did not convince the U.S. diplomatic mission to delete the tweet.
Meg Riggs, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe, said the mission "will not abandon the leaflet calling for peace during the election period."
Earlier on Wednesday, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa (in power since 2017) announced that his country would hold presidential and general elections on August 23.
Zimbabwe's ruling African National Union (ZANU) has agreed to nominate 80-year-old Mnangagwa for a second term.
In addition to choosing the president, voters will also cast their ballots for 80 senators and 270 members of the National Assembly.