The United States has criticised Zambia for failing to engage in negotiations over a new health aid agreement covering more than $1 billion, after an April 30 deadline passed without a deal.
Outgoing US ambassador Michael Gonzales said repeated efforts by Washington to advance the agreement had gone unanswered, leaving funding to continue on an ad hoc basis without a structured implementation plan.
The proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) is intended to support programmes targeting HIV, malaria, maternal and child health, and disease preparedness.
“Instead of continuing to languish without engagement, the actual funding under our Health MOU should have started this month,” Gonzales said in remarks on Thursday ahead of his departure.
The stalled agreement has drawn criticism from some health advocates, who have raised concerns that it could tie aid to access to Zambia’s critical minerals and expose sensitive health data. Gonzales dismissed those claims as “disgusting and patently false,” rejecting suggestions that Washington was leveraging life-saving assistance for resource concessions.
Zambia’s presidential spokesperson Clayson Hamasaka said the government remained open to discussions but emphasised that engagement should proceed through formal diplomatic channels.
“We appreciate the support we have received from the US and other countries,” Hamasaka said. “If there are any concerns, we are open to dialogue, but that should be done through laid down diplomatic channels.”
The dispute comes after Washington previously cut aid to Zambia following the reported theft of donated medicines, highlighting ongoing governance concerns within the country’s health system.
According to a draft reviewed by Reuters, the agreement would also require Zambia to contribute around $340 million in co-financing over the same period.
Gonzales said there had been “effectively zero substantive engagement” from Zambian officials since January, with scheduled meetings cancelled and communication attempts unanswered, stalling progress on future cooperation.
The deal had initially been expected to be signed in November but was delayed after revised drafts were circulated.
Despite the impasse, Gonzales said the United States would continue providing essential support, including antiretroviral treatment and efforts to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission, while signalling that broader funding would depend on tangible reforms.