By Burnett Munthali
The Zambian government has expressed strong displeasure over remarks made by outgoing United States Ambassador to Zambia, Michael Gonzales, describing his farewell statement as “und diplomatic”, “regrettable” and inconsistent with international diplomatic standards.
The comments, made during a farewell reception on April 30, 2026, were deemed to have contravened the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, particularly Article 3 and Article 41, which outline the functions of a diplomatic mission and prohibit diplomats from interfering in the internal affairs of host nations.
Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mulambo Haimbe, stated that the ambassador’s remarks were not only inappropriate but also in violation of diplomatic protocols, and had not been communicated through official diplomatic channels.
The government rejected Gonzales’ claims that relations between Zambia and the US are centred on aid, insisting instead that the partnership is based on mutual respect and shared interests.
Haimbe emphasized that Zambia remains a sovereign state whose institutions must be respected, warning against narratives that undermine its governance and urging citizens and international partners to disregard the ambassador’s comments.
The US ambassador had raised concerns about Zambia’s anti-corruption efforts and structural issues linked to US support for the country’s health sector, which the Zambian government deemed unacceptable.
