The United States has criticized Zambia for refusing to commit to a new health aid deal involving more than $1 billion in US funding, saying that repeated attempts by Washington had been ignored as the April 30 deadline passed without an agreement being reached.
Outgoing US Ambassador Michael Gonzales said the failure to finalize the memorandum of understanding (MOU) had led to funding continuing on an ad hoc basis, without a coherent implementation plan for programs covering HIV, malaria, maternal and child health, and disease preparedness.
"Instead of remaining in limbo without any progress, the funding planned under our health memorandum of understanding should have started this month," Gonzales said in a speech Thursday night as he prepared to leave office.
Health advocates warned that the agreement tied funding to access to mineral resources and posed risks regarding data sharing. Mr. Gonzales dismissed what he called "repugnant and patently false" allegations that Washington was threatening to withhold vital health aid "unless we get critical minerals."
Zambia's presidential spokesman, Clayson Hamasaka, said the government would engage with Washington through diplomatic channels.
"We appreciate the support we have received from the United States and other countries… If there are concerns, we are open to dialogue, but this must take place through established diplomatic channels," Mr. Hamasaka said in response to Mr. Gonzales' remarks.
This stalled agreement became a hot topic after Washington suspended aid due to the theft of donated medicines, highlighting governance problems within the Zambian health system.
The agreement also provides for co-financing of approximately $340 million from the Zambian government over the same period, according to a draft reviewed by Reuters.
Mr. Gonzales said that Washington had received "no substantial cooperation" from Zambian officials since January, with calls going unanswered and meetings being cancelled, preventing any constructive negotiations on future cooperation.
The agreement was supposed to be signed in November, but it was blocked after revised drafts were released.
Mr. Gonzales stated that the United States would continue to honor its longstanding commitment to the Zambian people, including providing antiretroviral drugs and combating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, but clarified that large-scale assistance would depend on the implementation of concrete reforms.
