US Vice President Kamala Harris Concludes Visit to Zambia
Vice President Kamala Harris has concluded her two-day visit to Zambia as part of her week-long African tour. Her trip – which also included visits to Ghana and Tanzania – highlighted issues of economic development and climate change, and confirmed the US’s resolve to strengthen ties to the continent.
During her two days in Zambia, Harris met with President Hakainde Hichilema at State House.
The pair held a joint press conference on Friday, during which the Zambian president alluded to the country’s foreign debt, estimated to be around $17.3 billion.
Harris reiterated her call to Zambia’s creditors for “meaningful debt reduction” to aid the country’s economic development. She also announced American support of over $16 million for new programmes in Zambia.
During the press conference, Harris and President Hichilema were asked about the recent news of former President Donald Trump having been indicted. Harris refused to comment, but Hichilema weighed in, saying, “when there’s transgression against law, it does not matter who is involved.”
As part of her trip’s focus on climate change and food security, Harris visited Panuka Farm outside of Lusaka, which uses new technology to boost its crop yield.
She described its use of innovative techniques as “an example of what can be done around the world”, referencing global concerns about food supplies in an age of global warming. Describing climate change as the “existential threat”, Harris acknowledged the disproportionate negative impact the situation has on African countries, despite their relative low greenhouse gas emissions.
As well as a significant state visit, the trip was also a personal one for Harris.
President Hichilema described her visit as “like a homecoming”, referencing her personal connections to the continent and her visits to Zambia as a child.
Harris’s maternal grandfather, P.V. Gopolan, was an Indian public servant working in Zambia in the 1960s.
By combing public records and speaking to former officials, the US embassy in Lusaka were able to locate the site of his former home at 16 Independence Avenue. Although the house itself no longer stands, Harris said it was “very special” to return to the place.
Harris’ trip was one of many high-profile visits from American political figures to Africa this year, including First Lady Jill Biden’s visits to Namibia and Kenya.
In the background of her visit has been the reminder of China’s influence in Africa by way of loans and serious investment in infrastructure. This has caused deep concern in the US due to the global rivalry between the two states.
However, the success of the Vice President’s visit illustrates the strong, and growing, relationship between the US and Zambia, which will be strengthened by the support and investment Harris has pledged.