HARARE – Top diplomat Pamela Marie Tremont finally assumed her tour of duty as substantive US ambassador to Zimbabwe, ending three years of waiting since she was nominated to the job by President Joe Biden.
Tremont presented her credentials to President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House on Wednesday morning.
Speaking to journalists soon after the diplomatic formality, Tremont said she was honoured to be US ambassador to Zimbabwe, adding that she was in the country to improve relations as well as help Zimbabwe’s become a more democratic country.
“Our goal and my goal here in Zimbabwe has always been to continue to support Zimbabweans as they build a more democratic and prosperous future so that Zimbabwe can be self-reliant and democratic and with whom we can partner and fight global challenges around the world,” she said.
The US envoy pledged more food support to Zimbabwe on behalf of her country to alleviate the dire drought situation in her host country.
“Our commitment to Zimbabwe has been longstanding. We have contributed US$5 billion to the Zimbabwean people since independence, in health, demining, entrepreneurship, agriculture and other economic prosperity initiatives. We are happy to continue that and we will always be a reliable and consistent partner to Zimbabwe,” she said.
Tremont replaces Ambassador Brian Nichols whose posting ended in 2021.
The US has not had an ambassador since 2021 when Nichols left.
Since 2022, Elanie French has served as the Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Harare.
Tremont, a career diplomat, is former deputy chief of mission at the United States embassy in Sweden where she was also interim Chargé d’Affaires for 18 months.
She has also served in many diplomatic roles in countries such as Ukraine, Cyprus, Zambia and the United Kingdom.
Tremont has her work cut out after Zimbabwe, under Mnangagwa and predecessor Robert Mugabe, has led bitter relations with the US.
The US accuses the Zanu PF led government of rampant rights abuses, poll fraud and a host of other misdemeanours.
