By REBECCA MUSHOTA –
THE United States (US) government has pledged to continue its strong partnership in helping Zambia address its challenges, particularly in the area of health through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
US undersecretary of State for political affairs Thomas Shannon has also reiterated President Donald Trump’s reaffirmation at this year’s United Nations General Assembly to the fight against HIV/AIDS where he singled out Zambia as one of the countries that had made strides in fighting the disease.
Mr Shannon said it was for that reason that the US was committed to continuing its robust partnership with Zambia in its efforts of fostering peace and mitigating the refugee crisis in the region.
He said this at the Department of State on Wednesday, at a meeting attended by US Ambassador to Zambia Daniel Foote and his counterpart, Zambia’s Ambassador to the US Ngosa Simbyakula together with other senior officials from the Department of State.
This is according to a statement issued by first secretary for Press at the Zambian Embassy to the United States Cosmas Chileshe.
“Daniel’s impressive experience and achievements make him more than ready to lead our relationship with the Government and people of Zambia as we work together to promote regional peace, security, and good governance,” Mr Shannon said.
He said that Mr Foote would also be responsible for advancing the US$355 million Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact project that was working on water and sanitation systems in Lusaka.
Mr Foote presented his credentials to President Edgar Lungu on December 14 this year and he would return to Zambia in January 2018.