Zimbabwe Pulls Out Of US Health Aid Talks

Zimbabwe has withdrawn from negotiations with the US on a new health aid agreement. It would have provided $367 million over five years, according to the US embassy in Zimbabwe. 

The decision reportedly followed directives from President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who argued the proposed deal threatened the country’s sovereignty and independence. Zimbabwe objected to provisions granting the US long‑term access to national health data, arguing it posed risks to sensitive population‑level information and amounted to undue external intrusion. 

Zimbabwe’s decision now places long‑standing US‑funded HIV/AIDS treatment support at risk. The halted deal comes as the US signs similar health pacts across Africa under its America First strategy, with countries such as Rwanda, Uganda, Lesotho, and Eswatini onboard.