US denies Zimbabwe's claims it is militarizing Zambia

FILE - Zambian Army armored personnel carriers patrol the Chawama Compound in Lusaka on Aug. 3, 2021. Officials in Zimbabwe have alleged the United States is plotting to move its Africa Command to neighboring Zambia from Germany, an accusation the U.S. and Zambia deny. FILE - Zimbabwean President Emerson Mnangagwa, seen here in March 2024, claimed during a recent trip to Russia that the U.S. has been militarizing Zambia to consolidate power and isolate Zimbabwe. (Columbus Mavhunga/VOA)

The head of U.S. Africa Command denied Thursday claims by Zimbabwean government officials that Washington is setting up a military base in neighboring Zambia and wants to move AFRICOM operations there from Germany.