US Envoy Declares He's Here To Reinforce Ties, Promote Human Dignity, Democracy And Economic Growth

American Chargé d’Affaires to Zambia’s David Young has said he will be here indefinitely, and has been sent by the US government. to come and reinforce ties, promote human freedoms, democracy and economic growth.

Speaking when he address embassy staff last Thursday, Young, who takes over from Daniel Foote as interim Head of Mission said the Embassy’s engagement and outreach will continue robustly with full force.

In December last year, the Zambian government petitioned the White House to recall Ambassador Foote after the diplomat expressed outrage over the sentencing of a gay couple to 15 years, saying officials who steal from government and donor aid go unpunished.

President Edgar Lungu then made a declaration on December 15th that he did not want Ambassador Foote in Zambia any longer. However, Foot stood his ground and challenged government leaders in the PF administration to make personal financial disclosures so that the Anti-Corruption Commission could carry out “real investigations and prosecute corrupt officials at all levels”. He said it was unecessary to pretend that Zambia and America enjoyed cordial relations.