Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street

Zambian MP refutes need for US military presence in the country

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: RT
  • 24 Jun 2024 20:12
  • 2 Shares
3 Min Read

Opposition member Stephen Kampyongo tells RT that the aims of the American military in his nation remain unknown.

Listen
  • x
  • Zambia does not need US military presence :MP
    US Army troops conduct pre-deployment drills with the Armed Forces of Djibouti's Bataillon d'Intervention Rapide at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, on February 22, 2024. (US Army photo)

Stephen Kampyongo, a member of Zambia's National Assembly, stated that the country had no need for US military deployment, questioning the importance of security cooperation between Washington and Zambia.

In an exclusive interview for RT, the opposition Patriotic Front MP made the remark in response to regional worries over the prolonged presence of US Africa Command (AFRICOM) personnel in Zambia, as well as calls from parliamentarians for their evacuation.

Speaking to RT on Saturday, Kampyongo stated that AFRICOM's aims in the nation are "not well spelled out," which has raised concerns in Zambia and its southern African neighbors, particularly Zimbabwe.

Washington announced the establishment of AFRICOM's Office of Security Cooperation in the US Embassy in Lusaka, Zambia's capital, in April 2022. The US claimed the move was to boost "military-to-military relations" and extend areas of cooperation in force management, modernization, and professional military education for Zambian security services.

The initiative has been widely opposed, despite the government's repeated claims that the center's main goal is to train national troops for UN operations.

Related News

Trump approves Patriot missiles to Ukraine, bills EU for costs

Russia slams US-Denmark military pact as threat to its security

Brian Muntayalwa Mundubile, another Patriotic Front MP, had criticized Zambia's government for failing to engage with Southern African Development Community (SADC) member nations before signing a deal with AFRICOM.

In a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa expressed that the US was attempting to strengthen its forces in Zambia from a "security point of view and from the point of financial support for Zambia."

On Thursday, Zambian parliamentarians allegedly requested responsibility from the government in dealing with regional issues, saying that hosting AFRICOM personnel might strain relations with neighbors.

In a  legislative session, Kampyongo informed Zambia's foreign affairs minister, Mulambo Haimbe, that while other members of the SADC bloc "may be quiet," "they share the same concerns as Zimbabwe."

Asked whether he believes the US is attempting to impose its policies on Zambia's government, Kampyongo told RT, “It’s not desirable for… the United States... to impose an international request on us,” adding that “any international policy must be premised on mutual respect, appreciating the sovereignty of each state."

South Africa, Libya, and Nigeria have already resisted the development of AFRICOM in Africa, claiming that Washington will increase its influence on the continent and prioritize safeguarding its oil interests.

This comes as the US faces numerous setbacks in Africa. American troops in Niger are set to leave by mid-September after the administration terminated a security pact, and the Pentagon recently announced US troops are slated to depart from Chad.

  • Zambia
  • United States
  • Africa

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS