Health workers vs miners: Zambia refuses American blackmail

Stung, Zambia comes out of its shell against the United States. While the signing of a health agreement between Lusaka and Washington had been dragging on for months, the American ambassador to Zambia accused the government of corruption and inertia. In response, the government assured that the negotiations were actually paralyzed by Washington’s desire to condition its aid on the promise of privileged access to Zambian mines for American companies.

In a lengthy statement released on Monday, May 4, Zambian Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe mentioned “the integration of unacceptable clauses” in the discussions surrounding the conclusion of a health agreement, as reported by Zambian site Lusaka Times. Among these were American requirements regarding the sharing of medical data, one of the controversial points of these agreements.

“Another concern,” the minister continued, “is linking negotiations on health and mines, so that the conclusion of an agreement on strategic minerals is conditioned on the conclusion of the health agreement.” With this statement, Mulambo Haimbe revealed “for the first time” the reasons why the negotiations are at a standstill, noted the Reuters news agency.

Since December