The president of Zambia, Edgar Lungu has asked the United States of America to recall her ambassador to Zambia for criticising the southern African nation over a 15-year jail term handed to two gay men for consensual sex.
Homosexuality is a crime in Zambia. It is covered under Cap. 87, Section 155 to 157 of Zambia’s penal code.
The penal code classifies homosexual sex as a felony punishable by imprisonment for 14 years.
The American ambassador to Zambia came under heavy criticism in the country after he condemned the high court ruling in November and urged Lusaka to review laws that discriminate against minority groups.
“You need to know that we have complained officially to the American government and we are waiting for their response because we don’t want such people in our midst,” Lungu said in comments on state-owned radio.
His press aide Isaac Chipampe said on Sunday evening, that the protest letter Lungu was referring to was the same one issued by Foreign Minister Joseph Malanji.
“The government is still waiting for a response from the United States government concerning the complaint,” said Chipampe.
Foote had told a news conference that Zambia, which gets aids from America wanted diplomats “with open pocketbooks and closed mouths.”
Homosexuality is a criminal offence in Zambia covered as ‘unnatural offences’ under Cap. 87, Sections 155 through 157 of Zambia’s penal code.
Section 155 classifies homosexual sex as a felony punishable by imprisonment for 14 years.