The United States has urged the Zimbabwean government to intensify reforms aimed at restoring the country to its former prosperity.
Speaking to journalists in Harare on Monday, Pamela Tremont, the U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe, emphasised her country’s desire for cordial relations with the southern African nation.
She called on the Zimbabwean government to implement political and financial reforms to deliver prosperity and dignity to its citizens.
“We are here today as part of our longstanding and consistent commitment to the people of Zimbabwe, advocating for the reforms the international community has been requesting for many years,” Tremont said.
“We are clear in our message: public officials must stop using their positions for personal gain, and the judiciary must deliver justice free from political interference.”
Tremont also stressed the importance of respecting the rights to assembly and free speech in Zimbabwe.
Her comments came as discussions began on restructuring Zimbabwe’s $21 billion debt.
Calls for Debt Resolution
Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, urged for faster progress in the negotiations.
“Even wars do not last this long,” Adesina remarked.
“It is time to bring this matter to a close, to end decades of economic damage and suffering, and to usher in a new era of hope and shared prosperity for the people of Zimbabwe. It is time to make Zimbabwe beautiful again.”
Adesina likened the country’s debt to “piles of sandbags on Zimbabwe’s back” and emphasised that addressing the arrears, which constitute the bulk of the debt, was crucial for moving forward.
He appealed to institutions such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to forgive or restructure Zimbabwe’s debts and provide new financial assistance.
President Mnangagwa’s Appeal
At the same meeting, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa called for support to restructure the debt, highlighting the importance of unlocking access to credit lines for the country’s economic development.
“The successful implementation of our arrears clearance and debt resolution strategy is critical to achieving our economic development objectives,” Mnangagwa said.
“I urge international financial institutions, development partners, creditors, and the broader international community to support this process. Access to external financing is vital for funding our long-term projects and programmes.”
Historical Context and Sanctions
Zimbabwe’s national debt has steadily risen since the early 2000s, when government-led land seizures drastically reduced agricultural production, triggering an economic collapse.
Some officials argue that Zimbabwe’s inability to access credit lines stems from targeted sanctions imposed on leaders accused of electoral malpractice and human rights violations during that period.
