Zambia's Foreign Minister, Stanley Kakubo, has resigned from his position, according to an official statement from the President's office. The decision came after a social media frenzy erupted over accusations of Kakubo's involvement in business dealings with a Chinese businessman.

Kakubo, who had been serving as foreign minister since September 2021, explained his resignation in a letter, stating that he was stepping down due to "malicious claims" related to a business transaction. This move leaves a gap in the country's diplomatic leadership and raises questions about the connection between politics and business in Zambia.

The situation has sparked public interest and scrutiny, highlighting the challenges of balancing public service and private interests. The resignation is likely to have lasting effects on Zambia's political landscape, leading to further investigations into the alleged business dealings that triggered the controversy.

The scandal escalated when a handwritten note, accompanied by a video, gained widespread attention on social media. The materials implied transactions between a Chinese individual and a Zambian mining company, indicating a substantial amount of $100,000 being involved. The emergence of these materials further fueled the controversy, prompting increased public interest and scrutiny of the alleged dealings between the Chinese and Zambian entities.

The President's office issued a statement confirming Kakubo's resignation, acknowledging and praising his leadership and commendable contributions during his tenure as Cabinet Minister. President Hakainde Hichilema expressed gratitude to Hon.

The President acknowledged Kakubo MP for his dedicated service to the Government of the Republic of Zambia. President Hakainde Hichilema encouraged Kakubo to persist in serving diligently in his capacity as the Member of Parliament for Kapiri Mposhi Constituency. Importantly, the statement refrained from offering specific details concerning the reasons motivating Kakubo's decision to resign.

In response Member of Parliament since 2016, swiftly released his own statement elucidating the factors that influenced his resignation. He addressed the ongoing media coverage surrounding "malicious claims" related to a business transaction involving his private family business and their business partner.

Kakubo emphasized that despite the controversy, they maintain a positive relationship with the said business partner. His statement aimed to provide context and clarity regarding the circumstances leading to his decision to resign.

Additionally, he emphasized his commitment to remaining "loyal" to the government."This choice is aimed at maintaining our government's focus on seeking solutions to improve the lives of our people without distractions," he stated.

Zambia, rich in natural resources, heavily depends on copper mining, a historical cornerstone and backbone of its economy. The Zambian mining industry sees significant involvement from China, a major importer of Zambian copper.

Moreover, China plays a substantial role in global initiatives aimed at restructuring Zambia's foreign debt. In 2020, amid the escalating COVID-19 crisis, Zambia defaulted on its sovereign debt, as reported by the AFP news agency.

Image source: The Guardian