Patriotic Front (PF), the largest opposition party in Zambia, has expressed worry that the United States is promoting homosexuality agenda in the nation of southern Africa.
Given Lubinda, the leader of the PF, referenced a presidential memorandum and an executive order issued by US President Joseph Biden on promoting equality for LGBT persons on Wednesday.
“As Patriotic Front, we beseech Zambians not to allow the US to impose its values in Zambia. We must defend ourselves,” Mr Lubinda said.
“Since both bilateral relations and foreign assistance of the US are tied to LGBTQ rights, Zambia might have to review its relationship with the US,” he added.
He pleaded with Zambians not to abandon conventions, national values, religious and cultural standing in order to appease the Americans,
The party’s comments came days before US Vice-President Kamala Harris is scheduled to visit the nation next week.
On March 14, President Hakainde Hichilema vowed to defend Zambia’s anti-homosexuality legislation and denounced as untrue any allegations that his administration supported gay rights.
Ms. Harris is scheduled to visit Ghana and Tanzania, both of which forbid same-sex relationships, on her nine-day trip around Africa, which gets underway on March 26.
An anti-gay statute that sets severe penalties on anyone who engages in same-sex conduct was approved by Ugandan lawmakers on Tuesday.