Africa needs to build an economic architecture that renders it immune to US extortion

Mar 25, 2026 · 841 words · By Kelly Alexander

📰 Original article: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2026-03-25-africa-needs-to-build-an-…

Fact-Check Results

“There is a leaked memo stemming from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s desk.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive confirms or refutes the existence of a leaked memo from Marco Rubio's desk.

“It was prepared by the US State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive verifies the Bureau of African Affairs' involvement in the alleged memo.

“The strategy is straightforward, it’s pure extortion. The US is threatening to withdraw HIV medication from 1.3 million people unless the Zambian government opens its copper, lithium and cobalt mines to US companies.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive supports or contradicts the specific threat regarding HIV medication and mineral access.

“The memo states plainly, 'We will only secure our priorities by demonstrating willingness to publicly take support away from Zambia on a massive scale.'”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive confirms the memo's exact wording about withdrawing support from Zambia.

“The US suspended health funding talks with Zambia after the country did not engage quickly on the minerals question.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive verifies the suspension of health funding talks with Zambia.

“The memo notes Zambia's mines minister reversed course and granted US technical experts access to the country's mining database.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive confirms the memo's details about Zambia's mines minister granting access.

“Zambia possesses significant mineral wealth, including copper deposits essential for the global green energy transition, and lithium and cobalt reserves of strategic value.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive supports claims about Zambia's mineral wealth and its strategic value.

“The memo's strategy is aimed at aid-receiving countries, including all so-called 'shithole countries' as part of a broader US policy.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive verifies the memo's connection to 'shithole countries' or broader US policy.

“The plan includes public pressure tactics designed to turn Zambian citizens against their government and force its hand.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive confirms the use of public pressure tactics to influence Zambia.

“China's long-standing presence in Zambia's mining sector involves opaque contracts, limited skills transfer, and debt structures that constrain sovereign decision-making.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive addresses China's mining practices in Zambia.