PUBLISH FULL US$1.5BN HEALTH AGREEMENT, MWANZA CHALLENGES GOVERNMENT
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) president Antonio Mourinho Mwanza has challenged Government to publish the full US$1.5 billion, five-year health agreement with the United States before signing it.
Mwanza says Zambians have a right to know the conditions, obligations, financing arrangements, performance requirements, data provisions and other commitments contained in the deal.
“If that is the case, publish the final agreement before signing it,” Mwanza said.
He said Government should also disclose the revised provisions surrounding biological specimens, after concerns were raised over an earlier requirement for specimens to leave Zambia.
Mwanza said the public should further be allowed to scrutinise reports that the agreement was previously conditional on a separate Bilateral Compact and linked health assistance to negotiations over critical minerals.
He questioned why Zambia, despite possessing vast deposits of copper, cobalt, nickel, gold and emeralds, continued relying on external financing for basic public services.
“Why does a resource-rich country with copper, cobalt, nickel, gold and emeralds have to depend so heavily on external financing for essential public services?” he asked.
Mwanza cited Financial Intelligence Centre estimates showing illicit financial flows of K9.93 billion in 2022, K51.25 billion in 2023 and K85 billion in 2024.
He said Government should focus on strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation and fighting tax evasion, corruption and illicit financial flows
“The answer is to mobilise more of Zambia’s own resources,” Mwanza said.
He said international assistance should be welcomed but should not compromise Zambia’s sovereignty or national interests.
“Zambians deserve to know what their Government is signing in their name,” Mwanza said.
“PUBLISH THE FULL AGREEMENT. PUBLISH THE CONDITIONS,” he stressed.