Trending Now - Zambia Criticizes US for $2 Billion Health Deal Tied to Minerals
WHO:
AP News - Zambia’s foreign affairs minister, Mulambo Haimbe, criticized the outgoing U.S. ambassador, Michael Gonzales.
ABC News Health - Zambia is the country involved in the criticism of the U.S. government.
WHAT:
AP News - Haimbe described Gonzales's allegations of corruption as “mischievous” and “undiplomatic.”
AP News - Haimbe stated that negotiations have stalled over “unacceptable” data-sharing demands.
ABC News Health - Zambia has accused the U.S. of linking a $2 billion health assistance deal to access to its mineral resources.
WHERE:
ABC News Health - The criticism is directed at the U.S. government regarding its dealings with Zambia, a country rich in mineral resources.
WHY:
AP News - Haimbe emphasized that Zambia believes its citizens must have a say on how their critical minerals are used.
ABC News Health - Zambia's government claims that the U.S. is using the health deal as leverage to gain access to critical minerals.
HOW:
AP News - The U.S. is negotiating country-by-country agreements that tie funding to conditions including commercial provisions and disease surveillance.
ABC News Health - The U.S. is reportedly tying health assistance to the acquisition of mineral resources from Zambia.
(UPDATED May 5, 2026 19:24 UTC)
Zambia’s foreign affairs minister, Mulambo Haimbe, has criticized outgoing U.S. ambassador Michael Gonzales, calling his allegations of corruption “mischievous” and “undiplomatic.” Haimbe also pointed out that negotiations have stalled due to what he described as “unacceptable” data-sharing demands, emphasizing that Zambian citizens should have a say in how their critical minerals are utilized. The U.S. is currently negotiating agreements that link funding to various conditions, including commercial provisions and disease surveillance.
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(UPDATED May 5, 2026 15:36 UTC)
Zambia is criticizing the U.S. government for allegedly linking a $2 billion health assistance deal to access to its valuable mineral resources. The Zambian government claims that this arrangement is being used as leverage to gain access to critical minerals. This situation has raised concerns about the implications of such dealings between the two nations.