Zambia Halts US Deals Over Data and Mineral Demands

Zambia has suspended negotiations with the United States on multi-billion dollar agreements concerning health services and critical minerals. The Zambian government cited "unacceptable" terms and demands for preferential treatment as reasons for the halt.

A proposed health agreement, offering up to $2 billion over five years, is on hold due to demands for data sharing that Zambia states would violate citizens' rights. A separate critical minerals deal is delayed because of US insistence on preferential treatment for its companies.

Zambia also expressed concern over the coupling of the two agreements, where the health deal's conclusion was made dependent on the minerals deal. The government maintains that agreements must be considered independently on their merits.

This action follows previous rejections of US demands by other African nations, particularly regarding data sharing.