US and Zambia Health Funding Stalls Over Mining and Privacy Dispute
A $1 billion health support deal between the United States and Zambia has been delayed after talks failed to finalize a new memorandum of understanding. Ongoing aid for HIV, malaria, maternal care and epidemic preparedness now runs without a formal framework, threatening critical services. Negotiators split over clauses tying health funding to broader negotiations on mineral partnerships and data privacy. Zambian officials said these terms conflicted with national priorities. Outgoing US Ambassador Michael Gonzales denied allegations that assistance was being leveraged for mining deals. The proposed five-year agreement also required Zambia to commit about $340 million in counterpart funds. With Zambia facing fiscal challenges, this contribution was viewed as substantial. Diplomats in Washington had hoped to start the formal funding arrangement by the end of April but left the deadline unmet.
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