US criticises Zambia over $1billion health aid deal

More than $1 billion in US health funding for Zambia is now in limbo after the two countries failed to sign a new agreement by an April 30 deadline, the outgoing American ambassador said Thursday.

Michael Gonzales said Zambian officials had ignored repeated outreach from Washington since January, leaving calls unanswered and meetings cancelled. He described the lack of engagement as “effectively zero substantive.”

The proposed memorandum of understanding would require about $340 million in co-financing from Zambia, according to a draft seen by Reuters. It was originally meant to be signed in November but stalled after revised drafts circulated.

Some health advocates have raised concerns that the deal ties aid to mining access and includes data-sharing provisions they consider risky. Gonzales rejected those claims, calling them “disgusting and patently false.”

“We are not threatening to withhold life-saving healthcare support unless we get critical minerals,” he said.

Zambia’s presidential spokesperson, Clayson Hamasaka, said his government prefers to communicate through official diplomatic channels.

“If there are any concerns, we are open to dialogue,” Hamasaka said.

Gonzales said the US will continue providing antiretroviral drugs and HIV prevention for mothers and children. But he warned that larger aid programs will depend on concrete reforms.

SOURCE: Reuters