The issue centers on a proposed $1.5 billion US health aid package intended to support Zambia’s fight against HIV and other infectious diseases. Zambia is one of the countries most affected by HIV in southern Africa, and US-backed programs — particularly those under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) — have long been a cornerstone of the country’s treatment and prevention efforts. US officials have framed broader economic partnerships with African countries as part of efforts to secure supply chains while supporting economic development. Representative Gregory Meeks, ranking member of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, warned that tying health funding to mineral access risks undermining decades of global health diplomacy. Some observers argue that linking health funding to economic cooperation — including mining — marks a departure from traditional global health programs that historically operated independently of commercial deals.

Source: International New York Times March 17, 2026 04:30 UTC