Friday, March 29, 2024

Edgar Lungu implores oppostion parties to join the Congress of the Council of African Political Parties

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Defense Minister Edgar Lungu inspects the Quarter Guard mounted by Zambia Army Western Region Headquarters during an Official visit in Mongu District, Western Province
File:Defense Minister Edgar Lungu inspects the Quarter Guard mounted by Zambia Army Western Region Headquarters during an Official visit in Mongu District, Western Province

DEFENCE Minister Edgar Lungu has implored opposition political parties in Zambia to consider belonging to the Congress of the Council of African Political Parties (CAPP).

Mr Lungu, who is Justice Minister and ruling Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general, said opposition political parties should consider belonging to the organisation where Zambia was currently holding the presidency for the next five years.

Mr Lungu said this on Saturday night in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, when he arrived en route to Chad to attend the CAPP.

The minister was welcomed at Bole International Airport by Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and special representative to the African Union, Susan Sikaneta and embassy staff.

This is contained in a statement released by the Zambian Embassy in Addis Ababa. As secretary general of the PF, Mr Lungu will chair the meeting of the one-day conference, whose main theme is the establishment of youth wings.

Mr Lungu was accompanied by PF officer-in-charge of the international desk Longo Chibesakunda, former University of Zambia president Steven Kyengula, who is in charge of youth mobilisation at the PF Youth Centre and a youth from Chililabombwe, Mumbo Mwale.

The meeting is scheduled to take place in the Chad capital, Ndjamena today. “The main thrust of the meeting is the establishment of the youth wing of the council. The General Assembly of members will bring together youths so that we involve them in developing the continent,” Mr Lungu said.

“I will also be taking advantage of the event to meet the secretary general and the deputy presidents of the CAPP. We need to know each other and share the expectations of other members from Zambia’s presidency.”

“Even political parties that are in the opposition who believe that humanity is one are free to join. Some political parties who have been in opposition when they form government tend to look down on others and vice versa. By working together we can break that barrier. The world order can be refined if we break such barriers,” Mr Lungu said.

While in Addis Ababa, Mr Lungu also met the secretary general of the CAPP, Nafie Ali Nafie, who was also travelling to Chad for the congress.

During their meeting, Mr Lungu and Dr Nafie discussed matters of youth and women empowerment on the African continent. Dr Nafie is member of the High Office of Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party.

“The youth are a very important driving force to our development as a continent. Our political parties cannot survive without the youth. We will also soon be having a special meeting on women,” Dr Nafie said.

Meanwhile, Mr Lungu has assured Zambians abroad that the situation in Zambia is calm and that the country has just successfully held five peaceful by-elections.

He said the situation in Zambia was not as portrayed by some online
publications which lived in a virtual world.

And Ms Sikaneta, who congratulated Mr Lungu on his appointment as Justice minister and secretary general of the PF, said the embassy was proud that Zambia would be giving political leadership to the CAPP for the next five years.

The CAPP headquarters is in Sudan to which the Addis Ababa mission is accredited.

Mr Lungu flew to Ndjamena yesterday and was seen off by Ms Sikaneta.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Don’t join such useless organisations. All members of this so called congress are one party advocates. Whose money is lungu using for such meetings? If he is using Government money, then he should pay back. This is a private affair which the Panga Family should be paying for.

    • This organisation was formed to preserve the reign of rogue regimes in Africa. Just look at its membership for you to understand its main objective. Then ask your self why are many countries not members of this cartel group.

      Lungu should account for where the money to fund such rogue organisations is coming from.

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