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The Guardian
a day ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Ordinary Zambians lose out twice: to global looting and local corruption
Your editorial (The Guardian view on Zambia's Trumpian predicament: US aid cuts are dwarfed by a far bigger heist, 10 January) highlights research by Prof Andrew Fischer, and the exploitation of Zambia's commodity resources via illicit financial schemes. Many Zambians have raised the issue of this looting for years, but have met coordinated resistance. Consequently, Zambia's treasury loses billions of dollars in revenue. These losses are driven by well-known multinationals working in concert with certain insiders close to the Zambian state. Your editorial also says: 'The US decision to cut $50m a year in aid to Zambia … is dreadful, and the reason given, corruption, rings hollow.' Alas, I disagree and wish to place this in context. The aid cut followed large-scale theft of US-donated medical supplies by individuals connected to and within the Zambian state. Even before Donald Trump assumed office, Michael Gonzales, the US ambassador, confronted Zambian authorities about this. US officials engaged in 33 meetings with senior members of the Zambian government and officers from the Zambia police service and other law enforcement agencies. US officials urged the Zambians to take action to ensure medicines reached the country's poorest citizens. The president's inner circle ignored the warnings, ultimately leading to the aid cut. The Zambian government's reaction was to dismiss these legitimate concerns, saying diplomats should stay out of Zambia's internal affairs. This response is inadequate, as the issues go beyond mere bureaucratic inefficiency and touch on profound state corruption. The government's refusal to confront this reality is disappointing and has led to more suffering, where ordinary people who benefited from this aid will be most MwambaZambia's high commissioner to South Africa (2015-19) As a Zambian and UK citizen, I am both enraged and heartbroken by Prof Andrew Fischer's research exposing the systematic plunder of my country's wealth. While Donald Trump cuts our aid, citing 'corruption', the real thieves operate with complete impunity under the guise of legitimate business. The figures are devastating: $5bn extracted in 2021 alone. This isn't corruption in the traditional sense, it's legalised theft orchestrated by multinational corporations that exploit our resources while leaving us in poverty. How can we be called corrupt when the very system designed to 'help' us facilitates our exploitation? I think of my fellow Zambians struggling to access basic healthcare, education and clean water while billions flow to Swiss bank accounts. We sit on some of the world's most valuable mineral deposits, yet we're drowning in debt. This isn't coincidence – it's by design. Foreign direct investment is often foreign direct extraction in disguise. Companies like Glencore and First Quantum Minerals have treated Zambia like a cash machine, using complex financial structures to strip our wealth while paying minimal taxes. When confronted, they simply leave or settle for pennies in the pound. This global economic architecture, which enables legal plunder, must be challenged. African countries need new models of resource governance that prioritise our people over foreign shareholders. We need transparency requirements exposing these shadowy financial flows, progressive taxation capturing fair value from our resources, and regional cooperation preventing companies from playing us against each other. The west's moralising about corruption while facilitating this systematic theft is breathtaking hypocrisy. Until the international community addresses the structural violence of this extractive system, their aid will remain what it truly is – a drop in the ocean compared with the torrent of wealth flowing out of MulaishoLondon
Euronews
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Zambia rebukes envoys after US goes public with medical aid cut
Zambia's foreign minister has criticised a lack of diplomacy from envoys after the US ambassador used a press conference to announce that Washington was cutting medical aid to the southern African country due to the "systemic theft" of donated medication. The US ambassador to Zambia, Michael Gonzales, last week told a media briefing that Washington would cut $50 million (€45 million) in annual aid to the nation's health sector because the state had failed to stop the theft of life-saving drugs provided by the US. An investigation of some 2,000 pharmacies in Zambia from 2021 to 2023 found nearly half of them were selling medicines and products paid for by US aid funds, Gonzales said. Zambia had failed to do enough to address the alleged corruption after the US informed the government of the theft scandal in April last year, according to Gonzales, who said he decided to speak to the press after several unproductive meetings with local officials. In a thinly-veiled rebuke that did not mention anyone by name, Mulambo Haimbe — the Zambian foreign minister — bemoaned an "increasing tendency" by envoys to ignore diplomatic channels, and said this risked jeopardising the "spirit of mutual respect". Communicating with the government through the press constituted interference and violated diplomatic conventions, Haimbe said. "We remain open to addressing any matters of concern through appropriate diplomatic channels," he added. Following Gonzales' press conference last week, Zambian Health Minister Elijah Muchima said the government acknowledged the concerns of the US and was committed to resolving the "unfortunate issue". Muchima reassured the public last week that there was "no immediate risk of shortages" due to the US funding cut because the nation had sufficient stocks of all medications. On Monday, Zambia's Home Affairs Minister Jacob Mwiimbu said about 75 people have been arrested following raids on at least 400 health facilities over the alleged corruption. The US gives Zambia $128 million (€115 million) a year for drugs, medical supplies and other support for its health sector. Gonzales said the cuts would affect medications for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, which are three critical diseases affecting Zambians. Gonzales said he had recommended to Washington that the US continue to procure and deliver life-saving medicines and supplies to Zambia until January 2026 to provide time for the government to develop a transition plan. The US ambassador said the reduction in funding was "wholly separate" from the foreign aid freeze announced by the administration of US President Donald Trump in January.
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Zambia warns envoys after US ambassador reveals 'systemic theft' of medical aid
Zambia's foreign minister has warned diplomats against interfering in the country's affairs, days after the US ambassador raised concerns about the "systematic theft" of drugs donated to the southern African state. Mulambo Haimbe said there was an "increasing tendency" by envoys to ignore diplomatic channels, and this could undermine the "spirit of mutual respect".He did not name anyone, but his comments were seen as being directed at the US ambassador to Lusaka, Michael Gonzales. Last week, Gonzales called a press conference to announce that the US was cutting $50m (£37m) of health aid to Zambia because of the theft of life-saving medications that the US had provided for patients. He added that he had decided to go public after holding more than 30 fruitless meetings with senior Zambian officials. In his response, Haimbe said that addressing the government through the media amounted to interference and was in breach of diplomatic conventions."We remain open to addressing any matters of concern through appropriate diplomatic channels," the minister added. Last week, the US embassy said it had presented its findings of the alleged corruption to Zambian officials in April last year, and had offered help to stop further theft and to bring the culprits to justice. However, no action was taken by the Zambian authorities, it Monday, Zambia's Home Affairs Minister Jacob Mwiimbu said that a forensic audit on the alleged theft had been completed and handed over to security agencies for further action. About 75 people have been arrested in a countrywide crackdown that saw more than 400 health facilities raided over the alleged scam, he said. "There will be no sacred cows in this pursuit," Mwiimbu added. Gonzales said that an inspection carried out by US officials at more than 2,000 pharmacies last year had found that most were selling drugs and medical supplies donated by the Health Minister Elijah Muchima earlier said the problem of theft predated the current government, which took office in also said several Zambian officials had been sacked following the thefts identified by the US, and that "an advanced digital stock tracking system" had been set up to monitor the supply of cut in US assistance, expected to take effect next year, would affect drugs to treat malaria, HIV and the health minister has reassured Zambians that there were sufficient stocks of all drugs so there was "no immediate risk of shortages".Gonzales said the recent US measure was separate to the foreign aid freeze announced by President Donald Trump in freeze has affected health programmes across Africa, including shipments of critical medical supplies, among them HIV March, Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema said Trump had "slapped us on both cheeks", saying it was time for his country to strengthen its treasury to procure its own US accounts for about a third of public health spending in Zambia, according to the US embassy. You may also be interested in: Bitcoin in the bush - the crypto mine in remote Zambia'My son is a drug addict, please help' - the actor breaking a Zambian taboo'My wife fears sex, I fear death' - impacts of the USAID freeze Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
See - Sada Elbalad
10-05-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
US Cuts $50 Mln in Aid to Zambia
Israa Farhan The United States has announced a $50 million reduction in health aid to Zambia, citing the country's failure to address what it called the systematic theft of donated medicines and medical supplies. US Ambassador to Zambia Michael Gonzales said the decision follows repeated warnings to the Zambian government about the urgent need to protect critical medicines intended for the country's most vulnerable patients. His remarks were reported by AllAfrica, a news network focused on African affairs. According to a year-long investigation by the US Embassy, over 2,000 pharmacies across Zambia were found selling medical supplies that had been donated as aid. The findings raised serious concerns about mismanagement and corruption within the country's healthcare distribution system. The aid cuts are expected to take effect in 2026 and will significantly impact the availability of treatments for HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis — three of Zambia's most pressing public health challenges. The US has historically been one of Zambia's largest health aid donors, contributing millions annually to support healthcare infrastructure, medications, and disease prevention programmes. This recent move signals a major shift in US-Zambia relations and a warning to other aid recipients about the importance of transparency and accountability. The Zambian government has yet to issue an official response to the aid reduction or outline new measures to address the issue. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple
Reuters
09-05-2025
- Health
- Reuters
US to cut health aid to Zambia over 'systemic theft'
LUSAKA, May 9 (Reuters) - The United States said it would cut $50 million in annual aid to Zambia's health sector because the government had failed to stop "systemic theft" of donated medicines and medical supplies. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is finalising a broader review of its foreign aid, but the cut for Zambia is "wholly separate from that process," U.S. ambassador to Zambia Michael Gonzales said in a statement. "I am disappointed to share publicly today that since 2021 we have uncovered systemic theft of life-saving medicines and other products that were intended for free for the Zambian public," Gonzales said, adding medicines stolen included antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV. Zambia's health ministry responded in a statement acknowledging the U.S. ambassador's concerns and said recurrent theft of medicines was a "persistent challenge" dating back to before 2021. After he was alerted to the issue Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema commissioned an independent forensic audit of the entire medicines supply chain, the ministry said. A number of officials found to have been involved had been removed from office or suspended, while others were arrested and are set to appear in court. "We want to assure the public that Zambia currently maintains sufficient stocks of essential medicines, including antiretroviral, antimalarial, and other critical drugs, with no immediate risk of shortages," Zambia's health ministry said. Gonzales said he had recommended to Washington that the U.S. continue to procure and deliver lifesaving medicines and medical supplies to Zambia until January 2026 to provide time for the government to develop a transition plan. After January, the U.S. will still offer technical and logistics assistance to support humanitarian activities and prevent drug resistance and disease transmission, he said.
