Many Zambians have raised the issue of this looting for years, but have met coordinated resistance. The aid cut followed large-scale theft of US-donated medical supplies by individuals connected to and within the Zambian state. This response is inadequate, as the issues go beyond mere bureaucratic inefficiency and touch on profound state corruption. While Donald Trump cuts our aid, citing “corruption”, the real thieves operate with complete impunity under the guise of legitimate business. This isn’t corruption in the traditional sense, it’s legalised theft orchestrated by multinational corporations that exploit our resources while leaving us in poverty.

Source: The Guardian June 20, 2025 08:35 UTC