Latest news with #MulamboHaimbe
Bloomberg
2 days ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Zambia Takes Steps to Avoid Landing on US Travel Ban List
Zambia says it has made progress in addressing several concerns raised by the US government, as it seeks to avoid being placed on an expanded travel ban list. The southern African nation 'has formally responded to the US Embassy' and instructed its mission in Washington to engage the US government, Foreign Affairs Minister Mulambo Haimbe told lawmakers on Friday. 'Our goal is to have Zambia removed from consideration within the 60-day review period.'
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
UN peacekeeper killed in attack by armed men in Central African Republic
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — A United Nations peacekeeper was killed during an attack by armed men in Central African Republic, the UN said on Tuesday as the Security Council expressed concerns over growing attacks against peacekeepers in the country. A Zambian peacekeeper was killed Friday when suspected Sudanese armed groups attacked a U.N. peacekeeping patrol team close to the country's northern border with Sudan in the village of Am-Sissia 1, according to a statement from the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. A second peacekeeper was injured and is undergoing medical treatment. The victim was identified as 33-year-old Stephen Muloké Sachachoma, a member of the Zambian military with MINUSCA, the U.N. peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic. Mulambo Haimbe, Zambia's minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, demanded that those responsible be brought to justice in accordance with international law. 'Zambia remains resolute in its commitment to advancing international peace and security as a foundation for sustainable development, both at regional and global levels,' Haimbe said in a statement. It marked the third attack this year against the U.N. peacekeeping mission in the country, often carried out by armed groups vying for control and targeting security forces in conflict-hit areas. 'The members of the Security Council expressed their deep concern over the increasing number of attacks against peacekeepers in the Central African Republic,' said the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Central African Republic has been battling conflict since 2013, when predominantly Muslim rebels seized power and forced then President François Bozizé from office. A 2019 peace deal only partially lessened the fighting, and six of the 14 armed groups that signed it later withdrew from the agreement. The country is among the first in Africa to welcome Russia-backed forces, with Moscow seeking to help protect authorities and fight armed groups. However, these forces have been accused of human rights violations and, in some cases, exacerbating security issues. ____ Jacob Zimba contributed from Lusaka, Zambia ____ AP's Africa coverage at: Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Zambia warns diplomats after US reveals 'systematic' aid theft
Zambia's foreign minister has warned diplomats against interfering in the country's affairs, days after the US ambassador raised concerns about the "systematic theft" of drugs donated to the southern African state. Mulambo Haimbe said there was an "increasing tendency" by envoys to ignore diplomatic channels, and this could undermine the "spirit of mutual respect". He did not name anyone, but his comments were seen as being directed at the US ambassador to Lusaka, Michael Gonzales. Last week, Gonzales called a press conference to announce that the US was cutting $50m (£37m) of health aid to Zambia because of the theft of life-saving medications that the US had provided for patients. He added that he had decided to go public after holding more than 30 fruitless meetings with senior Zambian officials. In his response, Haimbe said that addressing the government through the media amounted to interference and was in breach of diplomatic conventions. "We remain open to addressing any matters of concern through appropriate diplomatic channels," the minister added. Last week, the US embassy said it had presented its findings of the alleged corruption to Zambian officials in April last year, and had offered help to stop further theft and to bring the culprits to justice. However, no action was taken by the Zambian authorities, it added. On Monday, Zambia's Home Affairs Minister Jacob Mwiimbu said that a forensic audit on the alleged theft had been completed and handed over to security agencies for further action. About 75 people have been arrested in a countrywide crackdown that saw more than 400 health facilities raided over the alleged scam, he said. "There will be no sacred cows in this pursuit," Mwiimbu added. Gonzales said that an inspection carried out by US officials at more than 2,000 pharmacies last year had found that most were selling drugs and medical supplies donated by the US. Zambia's Health Minister Elijah Muchima earlier said the problem of theft predated the current government, which took office in 2021. Muchima also said several Zambian officials had been sacked following the thefts identified by the US, and that "an advanced digital stock tracking system" had been set up to monitor the supply of medicines. The cut in US assistance, expected to take effect next year, would affect drugs to treat malaria, HIV and TB. But the health minister has reassured Zambians that there were sufficient stocks of all drugs so there was "no immediate risk of shortages". Gonzales said the recent US measure was separate to the foreign aid freeze announced by President Donald Trump in January. The freeze has affected health programmes across Africa, including shipments of critical medical supplies, among them HIV drugs. In March, Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema said Trump had "slapped us on both cheeks", saying it was time for his country to strengthen its treasury to procure its own medicines. The US accounts for about a third of public health spending in Zambia, according to the US embassy. Bitcoin in the bush - the crypto mine in remote Zambia 'My son is a drug addict, please help' - the actor breaking a Zambian taboo 'My wife fears sex, I fear death' - impacts of the USAID freeze Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Zambia warns diplomats after US reveals 'systematic' aid theft
Zambia's foreign minister has warned diplomats against interfering in the country's affairs, days after the US ambassador raised concerns about the "systematic theft" of drugs donated to the southern African state. Mulambo Haimbe said there was an "increasing tendency" by envoys to ignore diplomatic channels, and this could undermine the "spirit of mutual respect". He did not name anyone, but his comments were seen as being directed at the US ambassador to Lusaka, Michael Gonzales. Last week, Gonzales called a press conference to announce that the US was cutting $50m (£37m) of health aid to Zambia because of the theft of life-saving medications that the US had provided for patients. He added that he had decided to go public after holding more than 30 fruitless meetings with senior Zambian officials. In his response, Haimbe said that addressing the government through the media amounted to interference and was in breach of diplomatic conventions. "We remain open to addressing any matters of concern through appropriate diplomatic channels," the minister added. Last week, the US embassy said it had presented its findings of the alleged corruption to Zambian officials in April last year, and had offered help to stop further theft and to bring the culprits to justice. However, no action was taken by the Zambian authorities, it added. On Monday, Zambia's Home Affairs Minister Jacob Mwiimbu said that a forensic audit on the alleged theft had been completed and handed over to security agencies for further action. About 75 people have been arrested in a countrywide crackdown that saw more than 400 health facilities raided over the alleged scam, he said. "There will be no sacred cows in this pursuit," Mwiimbu added. Gonzales said that an inspection carried out by US officials at more than 2,000 pharmacies last year had found that most were selling drugs and medical supplies donated by the US. Zambia's Health Minister Elijah Muchima earlier said the problem of theft predated the current government, which took office in 2021. Muchima also said several Zambian officials had been sacked following the thefts identified by the US, and that "an advanced digital stock tracking system" had been set up to monitor the supply of medicines. The cut in US assistance, expected to take effect next year, would affect drugs to treat malaria, HIV and TB. But the health minister has reassured Zambians that there were sufficient stocks of all drugs so there was "no immediate risk of shortages". Gonzales said the recent US measure was separate to the foreign aid freeze announced by President Donald Trump in January. The freeze has affected health programmes across Africa, including shipments of critical medical supplies, among them HIV drugs. In March, Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema said Trump had "slapped us on both cheeks", saying it was time for his country to strengthen its treasury to procure its own medicines. The US accounts for about a third of public health spending in Zambia, according to the US embassy. Bitcoin in the bush - the crypto mine in remote Zambia 'My son is a drug addict, please help' - the actor breaking a Zambian taboo 'My wife fears sex, I fear death' - impacts of the USAID freeze Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Zambia warns envoys after US ambassador reveals 'systemic theft' of medical aid
Zambia's foreign minister has warned diplomats against interfering in the country's affairs, days after the US ambassador raised concerns about the "systematic theft" of drugs donated to the southern African state. Mulambo Haimbe said there was an "increasing tendency" by envoys to ignore diplomatic channels, and this could undermine the "spirit of mutual respect".He did not name anyone, but his comments were seen as being directed at the US ambassador to Lusaka, Michael Gonzales. Last week, Gonzales called a press conference to announce that the US was cutting $50m (£37m) of health aid to Zambia because of the theft of life-saving medications that the US had provided for patients. He added that he had decided to go public after holding more than 30 fruitless meetings with senior Zambian officials. In his response, Haimbe said that addressing the government through the media amounted to interference and was in breach of diplomatic conventions."We remain open to addressing any matters of concern through appropriate diplomatic channels," the minister added. Last week, the US embassy said it had presented its findings of the alleged corruption to Zambian officials in April last year, and had offered help to stop further theft and to bring the culprits to justice. However, no action was taken by the Zambian authorities, it Monday, Zambia's Home Affairs Minister Jacob Mwiimbu said that a forensic audit on the alleged theft had been completed and handed over to security agencies for further action. About 75 people have been arrested in a countrywide crackdown that saw more than 400 health facilities raided over the alleged scam, he said. "There will be no sacred cows in this pursuit," Mwiimbu added. Gonzales said that an inspection carried out by US officials at more than 2,000 pharmacies last year had found that most were selling drugs and medical supplies donated by the Health Minister Elijah Muchima earlier said the problem of theft predated the current government, which took office in also said several Zambian officials had been sacked following the thefts identified by the US, and that "an advanced digital stock tracking system" had been set up to monitor the supply of cut in US assistance, expected to take effect next year, would affect drugs to treat malaria, HIV and the health minister has reassured Zambians that there were sufficient stocks of all drugs so there was "no immediate risk of shortages".Gonzales said the recent US measure was separate to the foreign aid freeze announced by President Donald Trump in freeze has affected health programmes across Africa, including shipments of critical medical supplies, among them HIV March, Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema said Trump had "slapped us on both cheeks", saying it was time for his country to strengthen its treasury to procure its own US accounts for about a third of public health spending in Zambia, according to the US embassy. You may also be interested in: Bitcoin in the bush - the crypto mine in remote Zambia'My son is a drug addict, please help' - the actor breaking a Zambian taboo'My wife fears sex, I fear death' - impacts of the USAID freeze Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
