Western hostility towards Zimbabwe is deterring investment, the presidency spokesperson said on Tuesday, in sharp contrast with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s previous efforts to woo Western governments. Mnangagwa has made progress in improving Zimbabwe’s relations with Western states before and after he won a July 30 presidential election, the first since the removal of long-time leader Robert Mugabe. But with a violent crackdown on opposition protesters by security forces after the election — a reminder to many of the repressive Mugabe era — the remarks by Mnangagwa’s spokesperson, George Charamba, signalled that his charm offensive towards the West may already be unravelling. Mnangagwa’s victory is being challenged in Zimbabwe’s constitutional court this week by opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, who says the electoral commission rigged the vote. The commission has defended its independence. Economists say that for the country to revive its struggling economy it needs to clear its...
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