Zambia has publicly accused the United States of linking a proposed $2 billion health package to demands over data sharing and access to critical minerals, saying some conditions attached to the deal were "unacceptable".
For the first time, Zambia has explained why negotiations over the US-funded health agreement have stalled.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mulambo Haimbe said the government refused to accept parts of the proposed pact because they included demands for citizens' data and preferential treatment for US mining companies.
"The sharing of data is in violation of our citizens' right to privacy. These matters are the subject of litigation in the Zambian courts and this must be respected," Haimbe said in a televised address on Monday 4 May.
