The Zambian government has fired back at outgoing United States Ambassador Michael Gonzales, branding his recent remarks on corruption as “undiplomatic” and disrespectful to the country’s sovereignty.
This comes after Gonzales, speaking at his farewell reception held on April 30, 2026, in Lusaka, alleged that Zambia is grappling with what he called “institutionalised and sophisticated corruption.” He further suggested that the government’s anti-corruption efforts were more talk than action — a statement that has clearly not gone down well with authorities.
Reacting swiftly, Foreign Affairs Minister Mulambo Haimbe didn’t mince his words. During a media briefing, Haimbe described the ambassador’s comments as “deeply regrettable” and a clear breach of diplomatic conduct.
According to Haimbe, Gonzales’ approach violated the spirit of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which guides how diplomats are expected to behave in host countries.
But that’s not all.
Haimbe also pointed out that the ambassador failed to follow proper diplomatic channels, saying the concerns were never formally raised through official means such as a complaint or demarche to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“This underscores a lack of respect for the receiving state and established diplomatic processes,” Haimbe said.
Meanwhile, the minister used the moment to set the record straight on Zambia’s relationship with the United States, stressing that it is not built on aid dependency — contrary to some perceptions.
On the issue of the delayed Health Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Haimbe revealed that talks have stalled due to clauses Zambia finds unacceptable — especially those linked to data sharing, which could potentially infringe on citizens’ privacy rights.
He added that some aspects of the agreement are already before the courts, meaning they must be handled with legal caution. Certain provisions, he said, are seen as outright unfair from the Zambian people’s perspective.
Despite the tensions, Haimbe maintained that Zambia remains open to constructive engagement with the United States and other international partners. He highlighted ongoing interest in sectors like critical minerals, where Zambia is pushing for value addition that benefits both sides.
As Gonzales exits, his final remarks have sparked a diplomatic storm — one that could leave lasting ripples in Zambia–U.S. relations.
