The United States State Department is reportedly considering withholding lifesaving assistance to people living with HIV in Zambia as a negotiating tactic to push the country into signing a minerals deal, according to a report by The New York Times.
The report indicates that a draft memo, prepared for Secretary of State Marco Rubio by staff in the department’s Africa Bureau, outlines the Trump administration’s consideration of significantly cutting aid as early as May.
The proposed move is intended to increase pressure on the Zambian government to grant the United States greater access to the country’s critical mineral resources, which are increasingly important for global technology and energy industries.
According to The New York Times, the memo states that “the State Department is considering withholding lifesaving assistance to people with HIV in Zambia as a negotiating tactic to force the government of the southern African country to sign a deal.”
If implemented, the move could have serious implications for thousands of Zambians who rely on donor-funded HIV treatment and support programmes.
Zambia has long depended on international partnerships to sustain its HIV response, and any disruption in funding could strain the country’s healthcare system.
Critics of the proposal argue that linking humanitarian aid to strategic or economic interests risks undermining public health efforts and could set a troubling precedent in international relations.
While it remains unclear whether the proposed cuts will be approved or implemented, the report has already sparked concern among health advocates and policymakers, who warn that such a decision could jeopardize years of progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Zambia.
Read full story on this site under the headline U.S. Considers Withholding H.I.V. Aid Unless Zambia Expands Minerals Access
In Picture: Health workers at Chipukusu health centre in Ndola
