Zambia warns diplomats after us reveals the theft of “systematic” aid

Zambia Foreign Minister warned diplomats against interference in the business of the country, days after the United States ambassador has raised concerns about the “systematic theft” of drugs donated to the state of southern Africa.

Mulambo Haimbe said that there has been an “growing tendency” of the envoys to ignore the diplomatic channels, and this could undermine the “spirit of mutual respect”.

He did not name anyone, but his comments were seen as headed to the Ambassador of the United States to Lusaka, Michael Gonzales.

Last week, Gonzales defined a press conference to announce that the United States were cutting $ 50 million (£ 37 million) of Zambia health aid due to the theft of life -saving drugs that the United States had provided to patients.

He added that he decided to become public after having held more than 30 useless meetings with high Zambia officials.

In his response, Haimbe said that addressing the government through the media was equivalent to interference and was in violation of diplomatic conventions.

“We remain open to face any matter of concern through appropriate diplomatic channels,” added the minister.

Last week, the Embassy of the United States declared that she had presented its results on the alleged corruption to the Zambia officials in April last year, and had offered help to stop the theft and make the culprits justice.

However, no action was taken by the Zambia authorities, he added.

On Monday, Zambia Minister of Zambia Jacob Mwiimbu said that a forensic audit on the alleged theft had been completed and delivered to security agencies for further actions.

About 75 people were arrested in a country repression that saw over 400 irrigation health structures on the alleged scam, he said.

“There will be no sacred cows in this research,” added Mwiimbu.

Gonzales said that an inspection made by US officials in over 2,000 pharmacies last year discovered that most of them saw drugs and medical supplies given by the United States.

The Minister of Health of Zambia Elijah Muchima previously said that the problem of the theft preceded the current government, which came into office in 2021.

Muchima also said that several Zambia officials were fired following the thefts identified by the United States and that “an advanced digital stock monitoring system” had been set up to monitor the supply of medicines.

The cut in US assistance, which should enter into force next year, would affect drugs for the treatment of malaria, HIV and tuberculosis.

But the Minister of Health reassured Zambiani on the fact that there were sufficient actions of all drugs, so there was no “immediate risk of deficiencies”.

Gonzales said that the recent measure of the United States was separated from the freezing of foreign aid announced by President Donald Trump in January.

Freezing has influenced health programs throughout Africa, including shipments of critical medical supplies, including drugs for HIV.

In March, the president of Zambia Hakainde Hichilema said that Trump “slapped both cheeks”, saying that it was time that his country strengthened his treasure to get his medicines.

The United States represent about a third of public health expenditure in Zambia, according to the Embassy of the United States.