The United States Government has pledged to continue its strong partnership in helping Zambia address the many challenges it faces, particularly in the area of health through the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR/Emergency Plan).
U.S Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon has also reiterated President Donald Trump’s reaffirmation at this year’s United Nations General Assembly to the fight against HIV/AIDS where he singled out Zambia as one of the countries that have made strides in fighting the disease. Mr. Shannon says, for this reason, the U.S is committed to continuing its robust partnership with Zambia in its efforts of fostering peace and mitigating the refugee crisis in the region.
He said this at the Department of State in the Treaty Room on Wednesday, December 20, 2017. The meeting was attended by US Ambassador to Zambia Daniel L. Foote and his counterpart, Zambia’s Ambassador to the U.S Dr. Ngosa Simbyakula together with other senior officials from Department of State among others.
“Under Daniel’s leadership, Zambia and the United States will continue our strong partnership in helping Zambia address the many challenges it faces, particularly in the area of health. At this year’s United Nations General Assembly, President Trump reaffirmed our commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS and singled out Zambia as one of the countries closest to achieving epidemic control.
“Daniel’s impressive experience and achievements make him more than ready to lead our relationship with the government and people of Zambia as we work together to promote regional peace, security, and good governance,” he said.
Mr. Shannon further noted that Mr. Foote will also be responsible for advancing a Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact that provides $355 million to improve the lives of over 1.2 million Zambians by enhancing the country’s water and sanitation systems in Lusaka.
On December 14, 2017 Mr. Foote who presented his credentials to His Excellency President Edgar Lungu as part of an official ceremony at State House, gave an overview of U.S. Mission goals which include partnering with the government and people of Zambia to strengthen democracy and good governance, increase economic prosperity, improve health and education, and partner for improved security and peace in the region.
Mr. Foote also echoed U.S Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s stance of increasing trade and investment with African countries, improving governance, and securing peace in Africa.
“You’ve already shown your enthusiasm for the job by hurrying out from Lusaka soon after your confirmation to present your credentials to the President of Zambia. Well done. As you assume the mantle of ambassadorial leadership, please know we are always here to support you and your team. I wish you and your loved ones all the best and safe travels,” Mr. Shannon added.
Ambassador Foote will return to Zambia in January 2018
THE Swedish government has donated 25 Toyota Land Cruiser ambulances purchased at total US$52,550 to the Ministry of Health to strengthen health reforms in Zambia.
The Zambian government recently procured 50 Toyota Land Cruiser ambulances at US$288,000 each.
Themastonline
LT why are you not reporting on the above ??
Comment: This is a sign of confidence in Edgar chaagwa Lungu.
This happening because of the strong ties Edgar Lungu has cemented across the world.
Leave him in statehouse until 2026 you will be amazed how he turns you into a first world country.
I swear you my unborn child.
Thanks
BB2014,2016
Chi CHULA ku bwendo cannot believe this! He thought Edgar was not popular across the world.
PF = 10 years = debt = 17 billion
PF = 20 years = debt = 34 billion
Meanwhile
Lungu first year in office = $2.3 million in account
Lungu after 10 years in office = $23 million in account….
@Spaka like lilo don’t be quick to conclude, think through it first. Where on earth can you purchase 25 Toyota Land Cruiser ambulances at US$52,550? This is to say that each Land Cruiser ambulance cost $2102? Are they demo or plastic Land Cruiser ambulances? Maybe the Mast meant to say EACH costed US$52,550 NOT all the 25. $2102 for a brand new Land Cruiser? In your dreams!
This event happened before the spit in the face Trump got at the General Assembly yesterday. Lets wait to see whether he was bluffing or not over the aid withdrawal threat. A friend who abstains is better than a friend who is absent altogether.
Sir Boston Gere
That is common sense….each ambulance costs $52 k…..
An end to rioting behaviour by waving a magic wand? Are you pledging that you will address issues of failure to pay students and lecturers their dues on time?
Because Professor you know that you cannot study on an empty stomach.
Sir Boston Gere – What you dont understand is that you can go to a car manufacturer or Dealer and negotiate the price if you are buying more than one. Lazy Lungu is a thief with no shame.
Zambia a so called Christian nation refused to recognise Jerusalem as Jewish capital
This explains why this coward dodged voting on UN Resolution.
Its either I am in support of the US to declare the Embassy in Jerusalem OR I am against and vote together with the rest of the Countries. It shows firmness, and not dodging and hiding not speaking up for what you stand for.
Juliet Perth – you are too ignorant to commenting about such issues…you know nothing about the geo-politics of that region. You think Judaism and Christianity is the same thing…if you are too lazy to read just go and wait for White Father Christmas to deliver presents to you!!
Wake up from your docility and study about self!!
How many Zambians will fall for this, I’ve lived in America and travelled in 10 states. You don’t need to be in every state to see the challenges the Americans are going through, and besides foreign policy is not a priority of the current administration. Zambia is only 13 million and you guys can solve the new self infracted issues. The only issue that Zambia should be asking for only is the refuge crisis. The need health care, food and safe environment.
Mshotah December 22, 2017 at 12:51 pm
Swedish governments (Richer than Zambia, one of the richest countries in the world) buys a customized all terrain ambulance with life support accessories at $52 550
Zambia government (Very Poor…one of the poorest in the world) buys the same ambulance at $288,000. GRZ is buying 1 ambulance for the price of 4 ambulances.
We have thieves for leaders.
I hope you can see the reason why we will never develop, we will forever be a poor country.
I thought dr chitalu was a versatile leader but how did he allow procurement of wheelbarrow ambulances at that price? LAZ, can you take up this mater before these thieves condemn us to eternal poverty (actually we are already in eternal poverty)
@Ambassador: Zambia by abstaining shows weakness in the leadership. USA will never resolve our challenges. Don’t do things to impress someone but DO WHAT IS RIGHT. The spirit of always receiving AID is EVIL when we are a rich and nation with a lot of educated people, YET WE can’t sustain ourselves. Stay Away from American AID which is nothing. A Country should be sovereign than abstaining because they are scared.
THIS IS A SHOW OF CONFIDENCE THE PRESIDENT OF THE US (DONALD TRUMP) HAS IN HIS EXECELLENCE EDGAR CHAAGWA LUNGU.
ECL travels across the world are yielding results. Zambia has been recognised as a pinacle of democracy and peace. Bravo to Edgar~!!!
This happening because of the strong ties Edgar Lungu has cemented across the world.
Leave him in statehouse until 2026 you will be amazed how he turns you into a first world country.
I swear you my unborn child.
Thanks
BB2014,2016
For the first time in Zambians short democratic history amnesty international issued cautionary statements against GRZ !! ati pinnacle of democracy and peace ……
And the fact that US is supporting Zambia on AIDS is nothing new, this has been in place many years, so don’t be blinded and has nothing to do with ECL.
This just shows that they have seen that you are incapable of wiping your own bottoms as you leaders are corrupt, selfish and dull who procure ambulances and Firetrucks at grossly inflated prices.
Shame on you!!
Trump can only give to countries witha good record of human rights and democracy. That is what Zambia is. It is a sign of good leadership by Edgar!!
He gives to Saudi Arabia and eygpt !! Where are the human rights and democracy there ???
FYI the US has been supporting the fight against HIV since decades …..this is nothing to do with corrupt lungu…
Utterly dull ill-informed PF cadres with no understanding of world politics just as dull as that lazy thing in State House who goes on tour to Egypt and Israel or invites leaders of Western Sahara and Morocco to visit him.
Puppet Absentee Voter at UN gets rewarded
Do not be surprised when you hear vision-less Lazy Lungu has received a visit from Palestinian leadership!!
Oh you poor people you are bluffed so easy,Trump doesnt care a bit for Zambia…..
So tell us who cares then?
When such a good news is happening, some Zambians in opposition political parties and their supporters get annoying, angry and bitter such that they even criticize. Especially upnd , this really is worrisome if today hh is ushered into state house, with this bitterness he can change everything to suit the bantustan revolution. When anything to do with development has happened in Zambia let’s celebrate with oneness.NOT everything is bad as long as it’s done by PF government. If by the will of God ( not the will of Anglo America) become a republican president then he finds himself this kind of political hatred based on tribalism although is to change op and other state machinery sure how is going to govern the country. ? HH has planted a bad seed of hatred.2021 vote PF/ECL
UPND Surrogates always get annoyed when the Government of Zambia is acknowledged by the International World and they are eager sabotaging the government at every opportunity but they will fail but they do not seem to understand why their Supreme Leader HH is not liked by the majority because of sycophants like JayJay and Spaka like lilo…
Thank you US for observing that we skipped yesterday’s vote.
Give us more partnership taken from those who voted against you.
UPND cadres don’t bring up imperialism
Kudos…..skipping yesterday’s vote is not endorsing trump and j’salem……nearly not as bad but still a no confidence vote and the US has been giving AID to Zambia for years and years not because of lungu or yesterday’s vote…..
Why are you encouraging skipping voting, a vote is an expression of your conviction. Like this, we don’t know where Zambia stands on the Jerusalem issue.
Nibukabolala mind, trying to chance opportunities. Could have been great to provide their vote expressing support for USA, then.
Mr. you are 100% spot on. The main mission of UPND is to deliver A TONGA REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT. This man HH has been preaching to his bantustans that it is now time for A TONGA TO GO TO THE STATE HOUSE. As alluded to above, the man is very divisive and tribalist. He ascended to UPND throne on the platform of tribalism marginalizing the likes of Patrick Chisanga, Sakwiba Sikota, Bob Sichinga etc because these were not TONGAS. HH does not mean well for this great nation Zambia, he is in fact a liability and a threat to the peace this country has seen and enjoyed since 1964. Ever since he came to the political fore Zambia is deeply divided on tribal lines, all because of the same HH. The earlier he goes off the political arena, the better and safer for Zambia, period. SAIMBWENDE SAIMBWENDE…
What type of country is this thats always been supported? They can not buy even condoms…for 20 years they have been spoonfed its no wonder you are afraid of voting in the UN. Look at the likes of Botswana and RSA they are independent sovereign countrieswho will not watch whilst poor Palastians are being pushed out by the Jews.
Fun how an entire country can praise and celebrate aid with so much pride when we should be ashamed. Yes more than 50 years after independence we are still this dependent and beggars, cheering when you are given freebies. We should be truly independent if we want to determine our own destiny. As it is we will be at the mercy of those who give us aid… China, US, Scandinavian countries, etc. The aid comes with conditions ans and they are disguised as ‘free’ but in reality there’s no such thing as a free lunch.
Fun how an entire country can praise and celebrate aid with so much pride when we should be ashamed. Yes more than 50 years after independence we are still this dependent and beggars, cheering when you are given freebies. We should be truly independent if we want to determine our own destiny. As it is we will be at the mercy of those who give us aid… China, US, Scandinavian countries, etc. The aid comes with conditions ans and they are disguised as ‘free’ but in reality there’s no such thing as a free lunch.
By the way for those who argue that by being absent, Zambia has managed not to offend both US/Israel and the Arab block, I think you don’t understand how UN diplomacy works. By being absent it means Zambia actually sided with the US/Israel… it is the same as abstaining…
By the way for those who argue that by being absent, Zambia has managed not to offend both US/Israel and the Arab block, I think you don’t understand how UN diplomacy works. By being absent it means Zambia actually sided with the US/Israel… it is the same as abstaining or voting against. It depends on the situation obviously but in this case, it was obvious the majority were going to vote for the resolution so whimpers like Zambia who support US/Israel but are scared to declare so publicly just stay away or abstain. Australia chose to abstain. So you can’t really double dip on this one and try to eat with both hands.
Personally I like people who have a stand, take position (right or wrong) and are not afraid to declare so publicly. Not whimpers!
No one is surprised by what Trump did as that’s what he promised during the election campaigns…its the implications of such pronouncements have on the West Bank and middle east peace talks. Israel has settled illegally and continues to increase territory with the blessing of the Trump …Zambia only abstained because our leaders are too weak with beggar’s mindset please do not anybody fooool you that this has any religious inclinations to it. I am sure if we had the like of Mwanawasa as current President he would have stated his position with reasons not that excuse for a President we have in State House.
Mscheeeeww , Zambia an its begging bowl diplomacy makes me sick .
Where is this Lazy Thing called Edgar Lungu …he has been quiet for too long, a president does not only make statement at the airport – we need clarifications why you man in States didn’t turn up imagine if the same happened in our Parliament; the speaker would slap fines on MPs.
Before you find our where HIS EXCELLENCE EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU IS……TELL US WERE YOUR SAIMBWENDE SAIMBWENDE IS DOING IN WESTERN PROVINCE.
Good job. WInangu will never have an opportunity to get someone of his choice there! Loser!
Unit cost of $52,550 means one land cruiser cost that much.simple chizungu.Now someones due to ignorance comes and says the Swedish govt bought 25vehicles for a total cost of $52,550.are you for real. Please read and understand before you open your mouth
I can never understand the hypocrisy of some of the people I unfortunately share the same nationality with. Now they are applauding the very same players who are in the forefront of imperialism? When it suits the powers that be, because they have done a good deed to us its because of our good leadership and when they castigate us because of issues in our democracy then they are imperialists and the opposition are sell outs? Sorry, you cant have it both ways. Zambians start being objective and honest.
updn cadres Spaka et al, please get your figures correct then debate. Otherwise wasting our precious time.
Zambia has always adopted a non-aligned policy on international diplomacy. Most of you are very young to understand.