Zimbabwe interrogates, deports USAID officials: summary

What we know

• The United States accused Zimbabwe of detaining, interrogating, and deporting officials from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) last month, prompting a strong response from the U.S. government.
• According to a statement released by the U.S. State Department, Zimbabwean officials abruptly detained and deported the USAID officials who were in the country on an assessment mission. The State Department expressed outrage at Zimbabwe's actions, stating that their actions undermined the country's claims of wanting to engage with the international community following concerns about human rights abuses.
• Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, Matthew Miller, condemned the treatment of the USAID team, highlighting that they faced aggressive handling, prolonged interrogation, intimidation, unsafe transportation, overnight detention, and forced removal from the country.
• Despite Zimbabwe's professed interest in international re-engagement and democratic reforms, the U.S. government criticized the country for its actions, stating that they contradict its stated goals.
• The incident comes shortly after the United States terminated a sanctions program against Zimbabwe and imposed new sanctions on nine individuals and three entities, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa, for their involvement in corruption and human rights abuses. Among the targeted individuals are First Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and Defense Minister Oppah Muchinguri.

What they said

The US State Department wrote, "Members of the assessment team were subject to aggressive handling, prolonged interrogation and intimidation, unsafe and forced nighttime transportation, overnight detention and confinement, and forced removal from the country.” Adding that, "The Government of Zimbabwe has said it wants to pursue international re-engagement and democratic reforms. Its actions undermine those claims," Reuters quotes. In a separate statement, USAID administrator Samantha Power said the mission has been "assessing the development and governance context in Zimbabwe" to facilitate efforts to enhance human rights in the country.