U.S tells Zambia not hand back Biti to Zimbabwe
By Staff Reporter
The U.S State Department says the Zambian government must allow Zimbabwean opposition leader, Tendai Biti, to remain in the country until his assylum request has been appropriately evaluated.
United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Tibor Nagy, said the Trump administration understands that Biti, the co-leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance, had legitimate concerns.
“I’ve been in contact with U.S. Embassy Harare and U.S. Embassy Zambia. 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,” Nagy said. “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.”
