US Eyes HIV Aid Cuts to Zambia for Mineral Access

The United States is considering withholding critical HIV treatment aid to Zambia as leverage to secure greater access to the country's mineral resources, according to a draft State Department memo obtained by journalists. The proposal, outlined in a document prepared for Secretary of State Marco Rubio, targets assistance under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, which supports daily medications for approximately 1.3 million Zambians living with HIV, as well as treatments for tuberculosis and malaria that benefit tens of thousands more.

The memo, drafted by staff in the State Department's Africa Bureau, suggests implementing significant cuts to health funding as early as May unless Zambia agrees to a multifaceted deal. Officials involved in the negotiations have approved the document, which emphasizes using aid reductions to demonstrate resolve. "We will only secure our priorities by demonstrating willingness to publicly take support away from Zambia on a massive scale," the memo states. It further argues that such actions would signal to other aid-recipient nations the United States' commitment to mutual benefits under its foreign policy framework.