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Misleading! Swiss Aid Cuts to Zambia Not Due to Human Rights Violations

Misleading

According to Swissinfo,an official Swiss broadcasting network, Switzerland’s parliament approved a CHF 250 million ($282 million) reduction in foreign aid in December 2024, reallocating these funds to national defense due to shifting geopolitical priorities and domestic security concerns. As part of this adjustment, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) announced plans to conclude bilateral development programs in Zambia, Albania, and Bangladesh by the end of 2028.This decision reflects Switzerland’s broader resource reallocation strategy in response to evolving global and domestic challenges.This is contrary to the claim that the cuts are due to human rights violations in Zambia. The existing framework agreement between Switzerland and Zambia remains in place, ensuring continued cooperation in various sectors, technical, financial, cultural, and humanitarian aid.

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Verified Feb, 03 2025

Claim

On January 30, 2025, Mr. Raphael Mangani Nakacinda, the Patriotic Front (PF) Party Secretary General, published a post on his Facebook page captioned, “Switzerland cuts foreign aid to Albania, Bangladesh, and Zambia due to human rights violations.” However, the majority of his followers claimed that the post was misleading and lacked integrity whilst some accused him of spreading propaganda.

Rating Justification

iVerify has determined the claim made by Hon. Nakacinda that Switzerland cut foreign aid to Albania, Bangladesh, and Zambia due to human rights violations as misleading. The post inaccurately attributes the Swiss aid cuts to human rights violations when the official statement from the Swiss authorities gives different reasons.

According to Swissinfo, an official Swiss broadcasting network, as of December 2024, the Swiss parliament decided to reduce its foreign aid budget by CHF 250 million (approximately $282 million), reallocating these funds to national defense. This decision was driven by shifting geopolitical priorities and a perceived need to enhance domestic security. These budget cuts are part of Switzerland’s broader strategy to reallocate resources in response to evolving global and domestic priorities. As a result of these budgetary adjustments, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) announced plans to conclude its bilateral development programs in Zambia, Albania and Bangladesh by the end of 2028.

While some bilateral development programs with Zambia are set to conclude by 2028, the existing framework agreement reflects a continued collaborative relationship between the two nations. This agreement strengthens cooperation in various sectors, which include technical, financial, and cultural areas, as well as humanitarian aid.

Evidence and References

Swiss parliament cuts foreign aid budget
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-politics/swiss-parliament-cuts-foreign-aid-budget/88466732?utm_
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/about-swi/

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