Tibor Nagy, the Assistant Secretary for the United States Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, has said they are concerned by the reports of opposition supporters being targeted by state security services. Nagy said the reports are credible and highlighted the issue of Tendai Biti. Writing on his social media account, Nagy said,
I’ve been in contact with @usembassyharare & @usembassyzambia. We are deeply troubled by credible reports that opposition supporters are being targeted by members of the Zimbabwean security forces, which has led senior opposition leader Tendai Biti to seek safe haven in #Zambia.
We understand that Mr. Biti has legitimate concerns about his own safety and is currently in the custody of Zambian authorities.
I strongly urge Zambia to allow Mr. Biti to remain in Zambia until his asylum request can be appropriately evaluated, or to allow him safe passage to another country, consistent with its international obligations.
I've been in contact with @usembassyharare & @usembassyzambia. We are deeply troubled by credible reports that opposition supporters are being targeted by members of the Zimbabwean security forces, which has led senior opposition leader Tendai Biti to seek safe haven in #Zambia
— Bureau of African Affairs (@AsstSecStateAF) August 8, 2018
However, Zambia has since ignored a court order from its own High Court and handed over Biti to Zimbabwean authorities, arguing that Zimbabwe is safe for civilians and that there is no break down of law and order.
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