The United States has withdrawn its ambassador to Zambia following a row with authorities in the southern African nation after he criticised the jailing of a gay couple, embassy sources said on Monday.
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said Washington is โdismayedโ by the Zambian governmentโs statement that
Ambassador Daniel Footeโs position โis no longer tenable.โ
โDespite this action, the United States remains committed to our partnership with the Zambian people,โ the spokesperson said. โWe seek an open and frank relationship of mutual respect, commensurate with the generous aid provided to the Zambian people by the United States.โ
Zambiaโs high court last month jailed the male gay couple for 15 years for engaging in sexual relations โagainst the order of natureโ, a decision the U.S. ambassador said was horrifying.
President Edgar Lungu said on Dec. 15 that Zambia, a major beneficiary of U.S. aid, had sent a protest letter to Washington over the remarks by Foote and was awaiting a response.
A U.S. embassy source who is not allowed to issue statements told Reuters that Washington had decided to recall its ambassador because it was difficult for him to work in Zambia.
โSince Lungu says he does not want to work with Foote, there was no point of him remaining. Also donโt forget that there are security issues so Washington want their man back,โ the source said.
โThe U.S. cannot be paying a salary to someone who cannot work because the hosts donโt want him,โ a second U.S. embassy source said.
Zambiaโs foreign affairs ministry did not respond to a request for comment.
Zambia receives hundreds of millions of dollars every year in financial support from the United States, some of which goes towards fighting HIV/AIDS.
African countries have some of the worldโs most prohibitive laws governing homosexuality. Same-sex relationships are considered taboo and gay sex is a crime across most of the continent, with punishments ranging from imprisonment to death.
โThe United States firmly opposes abuses against LGBTI persons. Governments have an obligation to ensure that all people can freely enjoy the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms to which they are entitled,โ the State Department spokesperson said.
REUTERS
