By Munesu Chigada.
Harare, Zimbabwe (News of the South)-Contrary to expectations President Donald Trump seems set to continue funding the Zimbabwean government despite earlier election promises to come down hard on Africa’s dictators.
Speaking recently at the closing of the Harare International Festival of the Arts in Harare, the US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Harry Thomas Jr stated that his country would continue to support the economically jaded country.
“We are very heartened that our Congress just passed the budget within the last few days and our President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) funding is remaining constant”
“In fact it will likely grow to almost $150m next year,” said Thomas.
“This means we are able to continue saving lives through PEPFAR as well as feed about 2.4 million people a day in Zimbabwe through other assistance programmes,” said Thomas.
The move comes as a welcome surprise for the Zimbabwean government which is reeling from a non-productive economy with high unemployment rates and a health system that has broken down.
During his campaign the US President sent signals that he would be putting his country first on everything and cutting the optional funding of a month other things, African countries and other humanitarian ventures around the world.
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