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Zambia’s Foreign Minister warned diplomats from interference with the country’s affairs, a few days after the US ambassador expressed concern about “systematic stealing” drugs donated by South Africa.
Mulamba Chaimbe said the messengers ignore the diplomatic channels, and this could undermine the “spirit of mutual respect.”
He did not name anyone, but his comments were recognized as US ambassador to Lusak Michael Gonzalez.
Last week, Gonzales called a press conference to report that the US had reduced $ 50 million (£ 37 million) to Zambia Due to the theft of rescue medicines that the United States provided patients.
He added that he decided to go to the public, holding more than 30 fruitless meetings with the chairman of Zambian officials.
In his response, Chaimb said that the appeal to the government intervened and violated diplomatic conventions through the media.
“We remain open to solving problematic issues through the relevant diplomatic channels,” the minister added.
Last week, the US Embassy said that last April, it presented its findings about allegedly corruption by Zambian officials and suggested helping to stop further theft and bring guilty to justice.
However, the Zambia authorities did not take any action.
On Monday, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Zambia, Jacob Mvimba, said that a medical audit on the alleged theft was completed and transferred to the security authorities for further actions.
About 75 people were arrested in nationwide repression, in which he noted that more than 400 medical institutions had been allegedly scam.
“There will be no holy cows in this search,” Mviamba added.
Gonzalez said last year’s inspection conducted by US officials last year found that most of the drugs and medical materials donated by the United States.
Zambian Health Minister Ilya Muchima before said the theft problem was preceded by the current governmentwho took office in 2021.
Muchima also stated that several Zambian officials were fired after the thefts discovered by the United States, and that the “advanced digital tracking system” was created to control the supply of medicines.
Reduced US assistance, which is supposed to take effect next year, will affect the medication for the treatment of malaria, HIV and tuberculosis.
But the Minister of Health reassured Zambians that there were enough shares of all drugs, so “there was no immediate risk of deficit”.
Gonzalez said the recent US measure was separately for foreign assistance announced by President Donald Trump in January.
The consolidation affected the healthcare programs across Africa, including the supply of critical medicines, including HIV.
In March, Zambian President Hockey Hicienda stated that Trump had “hit us on both cheeks”, saying that it was time for his country to strengthen his treasury to buy his own medicines.
According to the US Embassy, the US accounts for about a third of the costs of health care in Zambia.
