Zambia's government has voiced strong opposition to a United States proposal that would tie a multi‑billion‑dollar health funding agreement to access to the country's critical minerals.
In a statement released Monday, Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe explained that Washington offered up to $2 billion in health assistance over the next five years under a proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU). However, some of the terms demanded by the US side, particularly those concerning data sharing, would infringe on Zambians' right to privacy, according to the minister.
"The Zambian government wishes to state unequivocally that stalled negotiations on health MOUs are a consequence of the incorporation of terms that the Zambian Government considers unacceptable, such as those relating to sharing of data in violation of our citizens' right to privacy," Haimbe said. He did not specify the exact health data the US was requesting.
Separately, Zambia also objects to a proposed critical minerals agreement being linked to the health deal. "A further concern by the Zambian Government is the coupling of the proposed agreements and frameworks to one another such that the conclusion of the critical minerals agreement is made conditional to the conclusion of the Health MOU," Haimbe added. "The Zambian Government has been consistent that the agreements must be considered separately on their respective merits."
The US State Department has declined to comment on the specifics of bilateral negotiations. Several African nations have signed similar MOUs that reflect the Trump administration's new approach to foreign aid, though Ghana and Zimbabwe have already rejected them over data‑sharing demands.
The controversy intensified after outgoing US Ambassador Michael Gonzales accused Zambia of failing to engage with the health funding offer. In response, Haimbe denied the accusation, emphasizing that Zambia remains open to cooperation but insists on separating health and minerals discussions.
The standoff highlights the growing scrutiny in Africa over the terms of external health funding and the push to ensure that such assistance does not come at the cost of national privacy or sovereignty.
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Zambia says US health deal must be uncoupled from minerals access
cgtn.com
