Zambia’s Foreign Minister Stanley Kakubo has resigned from his post after a video of him allegedly counting stacks of cash with a purported Chinese businessman sparked a public outcry and accusations of corruption.
The video, which circulated widely on social media, shows two men counting bundles of banknotes on a table but does not reveal their faces. Many Zambians believe that Kakubo was one of the men in the video and that he received money from a Chinese mining company in exchange for political favors.
Kakubo did not deny his involvement in the video but said it was a private business transaction between his family business and a partner with whom he still had good relations. He said he would provide more details in due course.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema accepted Kakubo’s resignation on Tuesday and praised him for his “commendable work and leadership”. He did not mention the scandal, but said he expected all his ministers to uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability.
Hichilema, who took office in August after defeating former President Edgar Lungu in a landslide election, has vowed to fight corruption and restore Zambia’s economic stability. He has also pledged to review Zambia’s debt situation, especially with China, which is the country’s largest creditor and investor.
China has been expanding its influence and presence in Zambia and other African countries in recent years, through loans, infrastructure projects, trade, and investment. China is Zambia’s biggest trading partner and owns stakes in several copper mines, which are the main source of income for the southern African nation.
However, some critics have raised concerns about the transparency, sustainability, and impact of China’s involvement in Africa, accusing it of exploiting the continent’s natural resources, undermining its sovereignty, and creating a debt trap.
Kakubo is not the first Zambian official to be embroiled in a controversy involving China. Last year, he was photographed receiving a bag from an unidentified Chinese national at a Chinese-owned cement company. He claimed he was visiting the site as a private citizen and only received cement and some souvenirs.
Hichilema did not fire Kakubo at the time but said he would investigate the matter. He also said he would not tolerate any corruption or misconduct in his government.
Kakubo, who will remain a member of parliament, said he resigned to avoid distracting the government from its mission to improve the lives of Zambians. He thanked Hichilema for the opportunity to serve as foreign minister and expressed his continued support for his vision and agenda.
Zambia, which has a population of about 18 million, is one of the world’s poorest countries, with more than half of its people living below the poverty line. It is also facing a severe economic crisis, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected its copper exports and tourism sector.
The country owes about $12 billion in external debt, of which about a third is owed to China. It became the first African country to default on its debt payments last year, after failing to reach a restructuring deal with its creditors.
Hichilema has said he is committed to restoring Zambia’s fiscal health and credibility and has sought the assistance of the International Monetary Fund and other partners. He has also said he wants to maintain good relations with China but on mutually beneficial and respectful terms.
Source: All Africa
