France, May 9 -- For the first time, Zambia has explained why negotiations over the US-funded health agreement have stalled.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mulambo Haimbe said the government refused to accept parts of the proposed pact because they included demands for citizens' data and preferential treatment for US mining companies.

"The sharing of data is in violation of our citizens' right to privacy. These matters are the subject of litigation in the Zambian courts and this must be respected," Haimbe said in a televised address on Monday 4 May.

Haimbe also said Zambia objected to efforts to link the health negotiations to a separate critical minerals deal. He said the government was concerned that the US wanted the two agreements treate...