The rift between Southern African neighbouring countries Zimbabwe and Zambia is increasing day-by-day. Over which, United States has issued their version and has denied the statements claimed Zimbabwe.
Reportedly, Zimbabwe claimed that Washington is setting up a military base in Zambia. The US said it has no bases in Zambia and has no plans to expand its footprint there.
Considering the viral rumour, Head of US Africa Command denied the claims by Zimbabwean government officials that Washington is setting up a military base in neighbouring Zambia and wants to move AFRICOM operations there from Germany.
Head of AFRICOM – General Michael Langley rejected the claims by Zimbabwe at an online press briefing that the United States is establishing a base in the neighbouring country Zambia.
Langley said, “That’s absolutely false,” from an African Chiefs of Defence Conference in Botswana. He also said that they have no bases in Zambia and they have no plans to put one there. He added that US is approaching on the continent with a mission “African-led and US-enabled.”
Following this, Zambia has also denied the Zimbabwean reports. However, Harare has been raising the alarm over the West’s increasing support to its neighbouring rival country Zambia.
Earlier this month in June, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa expressed his concerns to Russian President Vladimir Putin accusing the US of militarising Zambia to consolidate power in the region and isolate Zimbabwe.
Following this raging claim by Zimbabwe, Zambian President – Hakainde Hichilema denied this and said that his country is being militarized by the US. He said Zabia’s army has exchange programs with numerous countries, including the US and that should not be mistaken for the US establishing a base.
Zambian officials have also expressed that they called on two regional bodies, the African Union and the Southern African Development Community, to mediate talks with Zimbabwe.
Notably, Zambia and Zimbabwe are members of both the organizations.
