Parliament today heard that the Zambian government paid a total of over US$1.9 million to the African Union (AU) in annual subscription between the year 2006 and 2010.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fashion Phiri said in 2006, Zambia paid US$310,186 while in 2007, the country paid US$242,375 as subscription fee to the AU.
Professor Phiri further said Zambia paid US$468,840 for the year 2008, US$412,739 to cover the year 2009 and an advance payment of US$40,000 to the union to cover the year 2010.
He explained that there was still an outstanding balance of US$450,699 to be paid to the continental body for this year.
He said this balance, which was supposed to have been paid before the July, 2010 AU summit in Kampala, would be cleared before the end of this year.
Professor Phiri was responding to a question raised by Chilubi Member of Parliament, Obby Chisala who wanted to know how much money Zambia paid in subscription fees to the AU between 2006 and 2010.
He said the total amount paid was US$1,925,901 to the African Union as subscription fee.
And Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kabinga Pande said any member country of the AU which failed to pay subscription fee was suspended.
Mr. Pande explained that the suspension barred members from voting even when they were allowed to attend the summits of the continental body.
ZANIS
What does $475,000 in annual fees to the AU get us, as Zambians? Does this union have the power to do anything that’s beneficial to the citizens of the continent?
rubbish…and what are the benefits of this AU?