- Zambia has accused the United States of linking a $2 billion health assistance deal to access to its critical mineral assets, calling U.S. ambassador Michael Gonzales's corruption allegations "mischievous" and "undiplomatic."
- Zambia's Foreign Affairs Minister Mulambo Haimbe stated that negotiations stalled due to "unacceptable" data-sharing demands that violate citizens' privacy and the U.S.'s insistence on preferential treatment for its companies regarding minerals.
- The U.S. strategy, under the Trump administration, is reshaping aid to Africa from traditional assistance to transactional agreements, often including commercial provisions, domestic financing commitments, and sensitive health data sharing.
- This new U.S. approach, which replaces programs like PEPFAR, aims to reduce donor dependency, promote local ownership, and counter China's influence in Africa, particularly concerning minerals vital for green energy.
- Other African nations like Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Kenya have also rejected or put on hold similar U.S. deals due to concerns over data privacy, lack of guaranteed access to medical innovations, and the opaque nature of negotiations.
IN FULL
Zambia blasts the US over a $2 billion health deal in exchange for critical minerals
