Emmerson Mnangagwa has directed his administration to pull out of talks over a proposed $350 million health funding deal with the United States, saying the draft agreement posed serious risks to the country’s sovereignty.
A December 23 letter from Ambassador A.R. Chimbindi, Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, informed senior finance and health officials that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had ordered an immediate halt to negotiations with the United States.
The decision effectively ended months of discussions under Washington’s America First Global Health Strategy, a framework designed to guide future US assistance.
Authorities in Harare opposed provisions that would have granted the US extended access to Zimbabwe’s national health data, arguing that such terms could expose sensitive population information and infringe on national autonomy. In the letter, the president described the draft memorandum as one-sided and harmful to Zimbabwe’s sovereignty.
Concerns also emerged over efforts to link Zimbabwe’s critical minerals sector to the health funding arrangement. Advisers warned that integrating mining interests into the deal could give Washington undue strategic influence over a sector vital to the country’s long-term economic interests.
Officials further maintained that entering a bilateral health pact would clash with Zimbabwe’s support for multilateral cooperation. They pointed to the US withdrawal from the World Health Organization during the administration of Donald Trump, arguing that endorsing a parallel framework would contradict Harare’s stance on strengthening global health institutions.
The withdrawal from talks comes amid uncertainty over future US humanitarian assistance. With reductions at USAID and indications that Washington may scale back engagement in parts of Africa, Zimbabwe could face diminished support for HIV treatment, nutrition programmes, and other critical services.
Meanwhile, several other African nations have proceeded to sign similar health cooperation agreements with the US.