Health
Zambia Rebukes US Ambassador’s Remarks as Undiplomatic
THE Zambian government has described remarks attributed to outgoing United States Ambassador Michael Gonzales as undiplomatic and inconsistent with mutual respect between sovereign nations. This follows a farewell message delivered by Gonzales during a reception held in his honour on April 30, 2026, at the…
Picture: Mwebantu
THE Zambian government has described remarks attributed to outgoing United States Ambassador Michael Gonzales as undiplomatic and inconsistent with mutual respect between sovereign nations.
This follows a farewell message delivered by Gonzales during a reception held in his honour on April 30, 2026, at the Ambassador’s official residence in Lusaka.
Last week, Gonzales warned of what he termed “institutionalised and sophisticated corruption” in Zambia, suggesting that the government’s anti-corruption stance was rhetorical rather than effective.
Speaking during a media briefing, Foreign Affairs Minister Mulambo Haimbe said the assertions were “deeply regrettable, undiplomatic, and inconsistent with the principles governing diplomatic relations between sovereign states.”
He added that the statement contravenes the spirit of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which outlines the expected conduct of diplomats in receiving states.
“Further, and characteristic of the outgoing Ambassador’s approach during his tour of duty, the remarks, which were delivered during a social event, were not communicated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation through an official complaint, demarche, or any formal channel. This underscores a lack of respect for the receiving state and established diplomatic processes,” Haimbe said.
Haimbe also emphasised that Zambia’s relationship with the United States is not, and has never been, centred on aid.
He clarified that stalled negotiations on the Health Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) are due to provisions the Zambian government considers unacceptable, particularly those relating to data sharing that may violate citizens’ right to privacy.
He added that some of the matters are currently subject to litigation in Zambian courts and must be respected, noting that certain provisions are viewed as unconscionable from the perspective of the Zambian people.
Haimbe said the government remains committed to engaging in good-faith negotiations with all strategic partners, including the United States, particularly in areas such as critical minerals beneficiation, in a value-adding environment for the mutual benefit of Zambia and its partners.
(Mwebantu, Monday, 4th May, 2026)
Source: Mwebantu — Read the original article
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