The Editor Zambia
The frustration and outburst during US Ambassador Michael C. Gonzales’ farewell cocktail point to two indicators: a failed campaign for regime change in Zambia and preferential access to critical minerals.
For a long time, Ambassador Gonzales has been devil’s advocate pushing political calisthenics with opposition leader some of whom were kicked out of government in 2021. 
Political commentators say what has aggravated Ambassador Gonzales’ mood as he boards a plane back home is the failed U.S. companies’ bid for preferential access to critical minerals like copper, cobalt, and lithium.
Analysts say although there’s no official communication from the government or the United States about the contentious and controversial deal, the Ambassador’s undertones and behavior say it all.
This is blackmail and protest, all because of minerals and health data. Zambians should open their eyes – international politics at the highest level is being orchestrated.
One analyst says, “HIV funding vs Zambian minerals.” A true leader must protect the country’s sovereignty and independence, not bow down to colonial masters.
Analysts say Ambassador Gonzales’ reference to aligning “Zambia First” with “America First” underscores a reality of modern diplomacy where nations prioritize their own interests.
They explained that what matters, therefore, is ensuring that such partnerships remain genuinely mutual, transparent, and beneficial to the Zambian people.
Engagements whether in mining, education, or cultural exchange must consistently deliver fair value and sustainable outcomes for the country.
Yesterday, Zambia faced a critical April 30, 2026, deadline to negotiate a contentious deal with the United States, linking essential PEPFAR HIV treatment funding for 1.3 million people to granting U.S. companies preferential access to critical minerals.
As the country wait for official government position on the matter, analysing the ambassador outburst gives us the hint.
We acknowledge Ambassador Gonzales’ service and the effort he has made to engage across communities, cultures, and institutions. His emphasis on people-to-people relations is both welcome and consistent with the long-standing ties between Zambia and the United States.
But it is important to also acknowledge that Zambia has that set of leaders and not plunderers who brought Zambia to its knees with corruption and divisions.
Zambia is on the right track and it is evident with the achievements that have been made in education, healthcare, mining, agriculture and social sectors.
However, it is equally necessary to place this narrative within Zambia’s broader national context. While external partners often highlight cooperation, the story of Zambia’s progress must ultimately be told by Zambians themselves, based on tangible developments on the ground.
In recent years, the country has made notable strides across several key sectors. Increased investment in healthcare has translated into expanded staffing, improved access to essential medicines, and a stronger emergency response system.
In the economic sphere, Zambia has attracted significant foreign direct investment, particularly in mining, with production and employment reaching historic levels.
These gains are not incidental, they reflect deliberate policy direction and a renewed focus on economic recovery and growth.
Equally, improvements in governance and accountability have begun to reflect positively on international benchmarks, reinforcing Zambia’s commitment to transparency and institutional strengthening. These are not abstract achievements they are measurable indicators of a nation working to redefine its trajectory.
The mention of major investments, such as the Mingomba project, signals opportunity, but it also reinforces the importance of safeguarding national resources and ensuring that benefits extend beyond headline figures to meaningful local impact.
As the Ambassador concludes his tenure, Zambia stands not as a passive partner, but as a nation increasingly confident in asserting its priorities. The relationships built over the past four years will endure, but they will do so within a framework where Zambia’s national interest remains central.
In that spirit, we extend our appreciation for his service while reaffirming a simple, guiding principle: Zambia’s future will be shaped first and foremost by the aspirations, decisions, and resilience of its own people.
But as Ambassador Gonzales board that plane back to Washington, he should carry this message, Zambia is no longer a chess piece. Zambia is now a player. Economical diplomacy should not be anchored to bulling other nations.
Thirdly, Ambassador claim the fight against corruption has collapsed, this does not reflect the situation on the ground. His emotions have let him ignore the strides that have been achieved by President Hakainde Hichilema.
The Zambian government under the UPND administration made a largest asset recovery in the nation’s history between 2021 and 2024, involving over US$38 million, over £33,000, and vast properties.
62 houses, 100+ cars, 3,618 bicycles, and 6 farms, 79 vehicles and 23 properties, including 12 farms in Kanakanta.
According to Gonzales this does not amount to the fight against corruption.
