US, Zimbabwe seek to mend relations

Outgoing US Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Bruce Wharton has confirmed that his country is on a drive to forge new diplomatic ties with nations once deemed as hostile.

Mr Wharton, who paid a courtesy call on Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa at his Munhumutapa offices today, said US recently mended relations with Iran and Cuba and is willing to forge stronger ties with Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe's relations with the US have been frosty for the past 15, after Washington sided with Britain in a bilateral dispute with Harare over land redistribution.

Ambassador Wharton, who replaced Ambassador Charles Ray, is however upbeat the relations between his country and Zimbabwe are on the mend and can be better.      

On the issue of Cecil the lion, which was allegedly killed by an American citizen Walter Palmer, Ambassador Wharton said the American government is waiting for a formal request through official channels from the Zimbabwean government so that the two governments can come up with a common position.

The US government has since appointed Ambassador Harry Kay Thomas to replace Ambassador Wharton, who is expected to complete his tour of duty next month.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Country Representative, Mr Reza Hussein also paid a courtesy call on Cde Mnangagwa.

UNICEF is funding a number of projects in various sectors including education and maternal health.

Mr Reza commended strides made by the country in reducing the maternal mortality rate and improving access to primary education despite the prevailing harsh economic conditions.

Ambassador of the Republic of Sudan, Hamdan Ebeidalla who began his tour of duty in the country in 2013 also met the Vice President.

Zimbabwe has expertise in sectors such as mining that the republic of Sudan can exploit.