Lusaka, Zambia — A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Zambia has demanded transparency from the government regarding a pending health aid agreement with the United States. Speaking at a joint press briefing in Lusaka, representatives from ActionAid, Oxfam, Zambia Alliance for Women, and other CSOs called for the government to postpone the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) until details are disclosed to the public and stakeholders.
During the briefing, Ms. Chitimbwa Chifunda of Oxfam Zambia read a joint statement, emphasizing that the proposed health aid agreement, which is scheduled to be signed on April 1, 2026, should not be finalized without wider stakeholder engagement and parliamentary oversight. The CSOs are particularly concerned about the potential impact of the agreement on Zambia’s health sector and national sovereignty.
The statement highlighted that the reported MoU includes USD 1.01 billion in health funding over five years, with a focus on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and other critical health issues. However, the CSOs are urging the government to ensure that such assistance remains unconditional and is not linked to mineral negotiations or other unrelated matters.
Despite the ongoing secrecy surrounding the MoU, the CSOs remain open to engaging with the government if given the opportunity. Ms. Temba Temba of ActionAid Zambia reiterated that the lack of engagement is due to the absence of an invitation but that CSOs are ready to discuss alternatives for health financing if necessary.
The CSOs are also advocating for the strengthening of public revenue generation to sustain domestic health financing, reducing dependence on external financing. They believe that such measures would better safeguard national sovereignty and integrity.
Source: allafrica
