Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa says Zambia remains in discussions with the United States government over health assistance and has not rejected any support as suggested in some reports.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, Mweetwa, who is also Minister of Information and Media, cautioned freelance journalists against misleading citizens and the international community regarding the status of US health aid to Zambia. He said government was engaging its American counterparts in good faith and that the two countries continued to enjoy warm and cordial relations.
His remarks follow a recent report by Reuters which stated that Zambia had pushed back on part of a proposed deal worth more than US$1 billion in global health aid from the United States because it allegedly did not align with the country’s interests. According to the report, some health advocates expressed concern that the arrangement could link financial support to mining access and pose potential data sharing risks.
Mweetwa clarified that government’s position was being misrepresented and stressed that consultations were still underway. He said Zambia values its longstanding partnership with the United States and remains committed to ensuring that any agreement entered into safeguards national interests while strengthening cooperation in the health sector.
He urged members of the media to verify facts before publishing stories that could create unnecessary alarm or damage diplomatic relations. Mweetwa reiterated that government’s priority was to secure beneficial partnerships that support the country’s development agenda without compromising sovereignty.
The minister further stated that the UPND administration would continue to protect Zambia’s strategic interests in all international engagements. He added that while government welcomes support from cooperating partners, it will always ensure that agreements are transparent and aligned with the aspirations of the Zambian people.
Mweetwa also used the opportunity to warn that government would not allow individuals he described as criminals to return to positions of authority, saying the current administration remained focused on governance, accountability and national progress.
He maintained that discussions with the United States were proceeding in a constructive manner and expressed confidence that a mutually beneficial outcome would be reached.
Picture: Cornelius Mweetwa