Zambia accuses US of linking health aid to critical minerals
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 8
Zambia accuses US of linking health aid to critical minerals
7 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 8
The row follows the outgoing US ambassador's graft and bad-faith allegations as talks over billions of dollars in US health funding stalled.
Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe said tying lifesaving support to mineral access was unacceptable, highlighting a widening diplomatic dispute between Washington and Lusaka.
The clash reflects the Trump administration's push to replace USAID with "America First" aid deals; Zambia, Ghana and Zimbabwe have rejected them, while Kenya's agreement faces court delays.
Is the United States trading life-saving medicines for access to Africa's critical minerals?
With USAID dismantled, what is the true human cost of the 'America First' approach to global health?
As the U.S. demands health data, are nations losing sovereignty over their most sensitive information?