The United States (US) has categorically denied claims made by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa that it has established a military base in neighboring Zambia.
General Michael Langley, Commander of the US Africa Command and Marine Corps, addressed journalists in a virtual press briefing on Thursday, June 27, labeling Mnangagwa’s allegations as “absolutely false”.
Mnangagwa had earlier claimed that the US was increasing its military presence in Zambia to isolate Zimbabwe, alleging that the American government was heavily funding Zambia’s security sector.
He made these remarks during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Konstantinosky Palace in St. Petersburg.
However, General Langley clarified that the US has no military base in Zambia and no plans to establish one.
He explained that the US has a security cooperation office housed within the American embassy in Zambia, which aims to deepen partnership and security cooperation with the Zambian government.
Langley cited that the US approach is “African-led and U.S.-enabled”, and they work closely with their Zambian partners to strengthen their security construct. He reiterated that there is no US military base or plans for one in Zambia, dismissing Mnangagwa’s claims as baseless.
“That’s absolutely false. We have no bases in Zambia. We have no plans to put one there. So our approach is African-led and U.S.-enabled, and so we work closely. We have a deepened partnership with Zambia. There is no base.
“We have increased security cooperation with them, but there is no footprint, there is no posture, there is no base. Within our security cooperation office, which is resident in the embassy, but there is no base.
“There’s no plans for a base. And – but I would just say that we have a very deepened partnership and strong partnership with our Zambian friends and security construct,” Langley said.
This development comes amid tensions between Zimbabwe and the US, with Mnangagwa’s government accusing the US of seeking to undermine its sovereignty.
The US has maintained that its engagement with Zambia is focused on promoting regional security and stability, and not aimed at any particular country.
Zambia has since called on two regional bodies, the African Union and Southern African Development Community, to mediate talks with neighboring Zimbabwe.
Zambian officials stated that the diplomatic fallout with neighboring Zimbabwe stemmed from remarks made by Mnangagwa during a visit to Russia.
In a televised speech in Parliament last week, Zambia’s Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe rejected Mnangagwa’s statement as “an unwarranted attack on Zambia’s sovereignty.”
He also expressed Zambia’s desire to maintain cordial relations with Zimbabwe, the US, and Russia. Haimbe noted that Zambia had historically strong ties with Zimbabwe and had supported the removal of sanctions against Zimbabwe, including calling on the US and European Union to lift sanctions in March.
However, Haimbe stated that Mnangagwa’s sentiments did not align with the warm relations between the two countries.
