Zambian Foreign Minister criticized the lack of diplomacy from envoys after the US ambassador used a press conference to announce that Washington was cutting medical aid to the South African country due to “systematic theft” of donated drugs.
Last week, Zambian ambassador Michael Gonzalez said a media briefing that Washington will cut $50 million (€45 million) in annual aid to health sectors across the country as the state failed to stop theft of life-saving drugs provided by the US.
A survey of about 2,000 pharmacies in Zambia between 2021 and 2023 found that almost half of them sold medicines and products paid by US aid funds, Gonzalez said.
Zambia didn’t do enough to deal with alleged corruption after the US notified the government of the theft scandal last April, according to Gonzalez.
In a thinly covered responsibilities that he didn’t mention anyone by name, Zambian Foreign Minister Mrambo Haimbe lamented the “increasing trend” by envoys to ignore diplomatic channels, saying this puts a “spirit of mutual respect” in danger.
Communication with the government through the press constituted interference and violated diplomatic practices, Heim said.
“We remain open to addressing concerns through appropriate diplomatic channels,” he added.
Following Gonzalez’s press conference last week, Zambian health minister Elijah Machima said the government acknowledged US concerns and was committed to solving the “unfortunate problem.”
Muchima reassured the public last week that there was “no risk of an immediate shortage” due to US funding cuts, as the public had adequate stock of all the drugs.
Zambian Home Minister Jacob Mwimb said on Monday that around 75 people were arrested after attacks on at least 400 medical facilities on suspicion of corruption.
The US gives Zambia $128 million (115 million euros) per year to drugs, medical supplies and other health sector support. Gonzalez said the cuts affect drugs for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, three major diseases affecting Zambians.
Gonzalez said he recommended Washington that the US will continue to source and supply lifesaving drugs and supplies to Zambia until January 2026, providing the government time to develop a transition plan.
The US ambassador said it was “completely separated” from the foreign aid freeze announced by US President Donald Trump in January.
