Zim US Ambassador Tremont Complains of Alleged Intelligence Surveillance
By Kwedu News
The United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe Pamela Tremont has reportedly expressed concerns over suspected surveillance and being trailed during her travels in Zimbabwe, amid escalating tensions between Washington and Harare.
This development marks the latest chapter in the complex relationship between the two nations which dates back to the early 2000s.
Tremont’s complaints are not the first from the Embassy, or isolated.
In March 2024, diplomatic relations between the US and Zimbabwe deteriorated when Washington accused local security agents of harassing, detaining, and deporting US nationals who were in the country as aid workers.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAid) reported that its officials and contractors faced verbal and physical intimidation in Zimbabwe.
In 2022, two aides of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee were involved in a high-speed chase with suspected security agents.
The officials were in Zimbabwe to meet with human rights advocates and civil society leaders over the country’s deteriorating political and human rights situation.
A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, replaced Brian Nichols in July 2024.
Tremont was Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden, Deputy Director for North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) policy in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, a Political/Economic Counsellor at the US Embassy in Lusaka, Zambia and Political Military Officer at the US Embassy in London, United Kingdom.
In response to the allegations, Presidential Spokesperson, George Charamba, said Zimbabwe is not child’s play.
“I think this Tremont girl they sent to us does not quite understand the Zimbabwean psyche. She will soon know hake. We don’t play when you angry us!”
The US and Zimbabwe have, for over decades, had differing views on governance, democracy, and human rights.
While Harare accuses Washington of interfering in its internal affairs, the US criticizes Zimbabwe for violating basic human rights and democratic principles.
The situation remains volatile in the Southern African country, with no clear resolution in sight despite the second republic’s stunts to engage all, in terms of foreign policy.
