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Rupiah Banda admitted to the prestigious organization of Democratic Former Heads of State and Government.

By editor
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Former President Banda and his wife Thandiwe during a farewell press conference in Lusaka
Former President Banda and his wife Thandiwe during a farewell press conference in Lusaka

Former Head of State Rupiah Banda has been admitted to the Club de Madrid, the prestigious organization of democratic former Heads of State and Government.

Mr Banda, who left office last September, joins other eminent leaders around the world, including former US President Bill Clinton, former UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev, and former Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell.

Club de Madrid has become the world’s largest forum of former Presidents and Prime Ministers committed to sharing their experience in government and to overcome the challengers of leading and decision-making in contemporary politics worldwide.

The Club de Madrid’s honorary members include former US President Jimmy Carter and former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. It has in the past addressed issues of global concern such as climate change and sustainable development, social cohesion, terrorism, the role of women in peace and security, or the global economic crisis.

Under the motto “Democracy that delivers”, Club de Madrid has also provided peer to peer counsel, strategic support and technical advice to leaders and institutions working towards democratic transition and consolidation.

Mr Wim Kok, President of the Club de Madrid, said on inviting President Banda into the organisation,

“On behalf of the other 87 democratic former Heads of State and Government, that form part of the organisation, I thus have the pleasure of formally inviting you to become a full Member of the Club de Madrid,”

Mr Banda said,“This is a huge honour and one that makes me particularly happy as it is recognition from amongst my political colleagues around the world. Looking at the other distinguished members, I see that democracy really is at the heart of any country that cares about its people. I want to be able to use my experience to help other countries not only in the region but as far and wide as possible. I am grateful to my colleagues at Club de Madrid for helping me in my task of spreading the word that a democratic country is a better country – for all.”

The former head of state has just returned from Lesotho where he led an election observer mission from the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) to monitor National Assembly elections in that country.

Prior to that, Mr t Banda was in the US as President-in Residence at the Boston University’s African Presidential Archives and Research Centre where he lectured on a wide range of issues.

editor
editorhttp://www.lusakatimes.com

120 COMMENTS

  1. By default because he vehemently resisted accepting defeat. He was a very useless and dangerously corrupt man, he’s a stinking SOB.

    • It doesn’t surprised as that indeed you are a cardiac patient! The man is being recognized on a daily basis for what he stands for..DEMOCRACY! And there you are vomiting amalushi! Loser! Keep on dreaming, yours is just that you have right in your hands, you will never experience good things in life…Walipela apopene!

    • For me the most convincing evidence so far of the rabid dishonesty of Ala Bee is the fact that he even accepted this award. Rupiah Banda himself, Mark Storelli (US Ambassador to Zambia) and Justice Mambilima know how Rupiah Banda resisted stepping down even in the light of irrefutable evidence that he had lost the erection.

      This reward rightfully belongs to the Zambian people and the brave individuals who stood their ground to remove this sad excuse of a power-hungry seat warming ex-president.

    • RB has put Zambia on the map. Zambia is being regarded highly in democratic circles. Lets appreciate our own people. Whether RB resisted or not is not importatnt. What is important is here for all to see – there was a peaceful transition.

  2. but iwe zoona number 1 you must be the definition of a hater! Even things that are right before your eyes, you choose to ignore the good news and choose to pick on something you have no evidence about. Has he been convicted? Please tell us what rupiah stole apart from the rumors and mulomo most of you have based your conclusion on. Go to hell and suck on a D**.

    • #2 ASSassin, you are indeed an arse, not once, but twice. Ala Bee was just a warm seater. No special achievements. The evidence is there from all the MMD former ministers who have been convicted and jailed of corruption and by proxy from his sons, one who is a fugitive, the other already convicted. If you can explain where MMD got money to dress trees with chitenge material, buy the entire stock of bicycles in Kamwala and how they are going to pay over 60 million owed to Kobil for fuel, then you would make my day. If MMD won, that 60 million would have come out of your broke pocket you imbeci!e.

    • Only one minister has been convicted, of which i can assure you he will be acquitted on appeal. Have u ever heard of media propaganda? You are one of those fools that have been brain washed by homosexuals. Or maybe you could be supporting your gay partner. Whatever the reason, no one has been convicted. An interrogation is not a conviction. A commission of inquiry is not a conviction. Please give us a list of people who have been found guilty by the courts of law and not the post. Have u ever heard of donors. When there is an election, alot of donors give money to the ruling party which cannot be compared to the opposition because it is more than likely that a ruling party might retain its power. We all know why donors give money. your thinking disgusts me. your brain is filled with shit.

    • ASSassin, so according to your great wisdom, Hitler was innocent of genocide because he was never convicted in a court of law? You are one farkin idio+ with warped reasoning. Convicted MPs include Liato and Maxwell Mwale. A few more have been warned and cautioned or are on bail including Dollar Siliya, one of Ala Bees sons and a few others. As long as Henry Banda is on the run, he is a criminal delaying the course of justice. But the real winner was Ala Bees own admission of guilt when he stated that Sata will arrest him soon after losing elections. I could give you a rectal suppository with – RB is guilty – written on it if that will help your warped reasoning.

    • Do u understand what being convicted means? a warn and caution is not a conviction. Only liato has been convicted, maxwell mwale has not been convicted. Anyway i cant bring myself down to your levels by trying to prove a point ku bana banchushi. keep wasting your time hating on people making it. Rb is guilt in your eyes, it doesn’t change the fact that he is a free man and representing Zambia in all aspects. Keep blogging.

  4. This is really hurting to those pf cadres like # 1. The best haters can do is to wait and see if their leader will be admitted to such a prestigious club. Maybe another one will be formed that will have the likes of Mugabe, Chavez, Castrol, Sata and the late Idi Amin.
    Meanwhile, congratulations RB.

  5. I think no. 1 has just too may fathers and he has inherited no brains from any of his fathers. This man/woman is just full of hate and empty of ideas and thinking. Just pack your balls and start thinking chikili you are a big fool bawiso ubwingi! I end here!

  10. Wow am so proud of RB!Is it a curse dt zedians hv a habit of pointg fingers at elderly pipo?in vileges dey say bafwiti,in town wd democracy ati kabolala!God save us!I equally hate rumours mweh!

  13. I am not a fan of Sata/PF…in fact its becoz of RB we are in this mess! The only kudos RB deserves is stepping down peacefully other than that…RB/MMD’s poor running of this country is what got us thinking even a “clown” could do a better job!!! RB is no saint napapata he handed the nation to “circus”

  14. Good news ,he is in great demand now looking at how stupid
    our African leaders like to rule for eternity like Mugabe 

  15. Happy for RB and i salute you!!Unlike Ukwa who has hidden the compaign promises in fight against corruption and taking opposition leaders to court for opposing him on 14 billion.

  18. Congratulations to you RB an your admission to the club. Hope you use your position to advance the welfare of our country.
    All the best to you

  19. Congrats to RB! You deserve every accolade you get for the services you rendered to the ungrateful Zambians who now in for it till 2016 with the great Ukwa. I bet Membe and Nchito must be fuming as this just adds to the horrid and torrid couple of weeks they have been having.

  21. He will still be probed, Mpundu trust fund is waiting for you, lift his immunity, so that he can face the jails

  22. It might end up the opposite for the current. the Lozis he lied to could uprise violently that he would be forced to use live bullets to stop them which could result in him being charged for crimes humanity.

  24. “On behalf of the other 87 democratic former Heads of State and Government, that form part of the organisation, I thus have the pleasure of formally inviting you to become a full Member of the Club de Madrid,” Eighty seven (87) former Heads of State and Government + Boston University cannot be wrong. If our politicians have any sense and care for this country at all, they should just humble themselves and use our former President RB for the good of Zambia.

  25. So who makes more sense here, Mmembe and his allies or the “87 democratic former Heads of State and Government” – the prestigious Club de Madrid?

  30. RB DESERVES IT, NEITHER HE NOR HIS CHILDREN HAVE EVER STOLEN, HE HAS BRIBED ANYONE. GOD KNOWS THE TRUTH.

  32. On what democratic principles are they inviting this man? This was a worst dictator African head of state we had ever seen. Infact had he won last year’s election i dont know where this country would be! Anyway they can honour him since they never lived in Zambia under his rule. Iam sure is even feeling guilty!

  33. Sata makes RB look like a great leader, look at Ubukopo being displaced at State House today. “Dual citizenship will create more Zambians and loss of jobs, what nonsense. Sata said, once elected he will take care of the Chinese, now that he has failed he is thinking of Zambian citizens in the same pot as the Chinese.

  34. # 19 & 20 saint democrat..
    You can’t have it both ways my dear. RB’s admission to the club does not vindicate him from corruption allegations leveled against him. The admission criteria does not does not refer to corruption free leaders
    Conversely, Mmembe just expresses and practices his journalism freely & has never been president of any country. Just look at Llyod Himaambo and his watchdog, he has never penned anything good or even balanced about Sata and his govt.

  35. # 19 & 20 saint democrat..
    You can’t have it both ways dear. RB’s admission to the club does not vindicate him from corruption allegations leveled against him. The admission criteria does not does not refer to corruption free leaders
    Conversely, Mmembe just expresses and practices his journalism freely & has never been president of any country. Just look at Llyod Himaambo and his watchdog, he has never penned anything good or even balanced about Sata and his govt no matter how well intentioned and thats his opinion

  38. RB is not in same class of democrats as those illuminati that are mentioned. By his inclusion, the quality and standards of the organisation have been lowered by at least 23 points. I used to respect the Club de Madrid. I have since withdrawn my recognition because those who know RB and his deeds think very lowly of him as a president or leader of anything!

  40. What is so exciting about RB joining the club , look at the members and tell me what they have in common????

    • Have respect for the states man,give credit where it is due naimwe. RB is beta than Sata by far. you dont even live in Zambia and ukwa will not give you dual citizenship.

  43. Like Mbeki,  RB has been vindicated…  in both cases the people voted in clowns not even fit to govern a village. Its amazing the similarities.

    Ukwa Vs Zuma

    Not educated
    Villagers
    String of children and womanizers
    No clue
    No strategy
    Chamba smokers

    The list is endless

  45. this news item will make mmembe shit in his pants. his sole aim has been trying to fix rb but well god is ever lifting rb…….

  46. The style of leadership exhibited by Mr sata is promoting RB as a democrat even though during his rule there were undemocratic elements. However, he handed over power to Mr Sata who has failed lamentably in the eyes of the world thereby elevating RB to the world. Its good for MMD and Zambia. PF govt has to come up with substitieted charges on RB that are credible. Just waffling in the air daily will further RB as credible as those eminent former leaders he will be sitting on the table with to assess and certify how Zambia democracy under Mr Sata is performing in Zambia.

  48. #45 SK I feel you imagine that”’ i was also thinking de same, honouring half term president for sure its joke with his corruption mentality, wow

  49. @45 and 46.
    whether u serve 2yrs or 20 yrs u will still be awarded all benefits accrued to the position and the name presido shall as such remain. so in this case, RB is how a former head of state regardless long he served

  50. Honouring a ‘half-term president’ vindicates just what a GREAT president he was period.

  54. SO so happy for amalume,, still going places let the jelous people die with there envy, Like Number 1 who doesnt even know what he wants in this world he will die complaining.

  55. Which circus is this giving awards like confetti, please I just flashed my toilet please send me an award. 

  57. This is the same man who shot the lozis in the legs today he is become a hero even among the lame lozis. Zambians forget so easily….Judge musonda acquitted chiluba corruptly, today judge musonda is a hero. Something wrong with Nsima makes us forget things.

  58. Congratulations Mr. Former President. I hope you will not be found wanting by the investigative wings. We don’t want a big fall from grace. Go make Zambia proud…!

  59. some of the comments here make for very sad reading. Zambians do suffer from very short memories indeed. what democratic ideals did this man stand for? 

  61. #2 Assassin – Until such a time that the majority of us can strive to see through the maze of tribal bigotry that cloud our vision to a fair and just society, we shall remain chained to the doldrums of choices hinged on narrow ethnic interests. That Banda was a lazy globe trotting & stinking corrupt loser is but a foregone conclusion, hater him or not. To a lot of people from “Kumawa”, he was the best. Just like Sata, his escapades in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Angola & reccently in Swaziland point to a mind most demented. However, to the tailed primates of the Ituri and Nwacusaland, he is the all conquaring “silverback” gorilla leading them into battle. This mindset, so manifested in voting patterns after half a century of trying to unite just proves we are too different to be one.

  64. America is paying for accepting the results. Now he can join the free manson without shame. Am ashamed with those saying this man is corruption free. shame..shame..shame..

  65. KK would have been the better former President for this invitation not baRB twapapata!!! No.1 is very right this man was stinking corruption and he still stinks!!!!!!

  67. Why do africans feel proud of high titles which they have not worked for, like Dr,Proffessor, General etc ? The muzingu knows this and they make fun of us. Its like praising a child to make them do something like stop crying or make them feel nice. Shame on us…

  68. Well some leaders that we know who are good at shouting in international fora can never be admitted into this ilite group of former leaders. There is need to come up with a group of Ex-presidents’ Lairs Club. We are sure of some leaders will qualify toping on this list from this country.

  71. SATANISTS’ CLUB. CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT DEMOCRATIC THING RB DID WHILST IN POWER? ANYWAY THEY HAVE THAT HE’S A POTENTIAL COUSIN FOR THE DEVIL!

  73. What criterion do they use to enlist members? Maybe I should put my name across as well? Any seconders out there?

  75. # 70, the criteria they used was irredeemable stupidity which expects reward for doing the right or normal thing.

    All those who have had the opportunity to steal, but did not because they saw a cop or by the presence of witnesses to the possible crime should come to my house and I will give them the Nobel prize in stupidi+y, ignorance and madness. This club of imbeci!es is actually encouraging the opposite by rewarding people like Ala Bee who had no intention of stepping down. The reward belongs to the people of Zambia for making sure he moved out when his ticket expired

  78. Did you guys see the look on Pamberi-E-Ukwa’s face as he starred at the Queen greeting President Banda Joyce of Malawi at the Diamond Jubilee? It was “zizila special, freezer tate!”. Could you even think Sata who is always fond of “ku huwa huwa” was around, never! So you can see these sweeper colonioal mentality of his, he speaks ill of bazungu when they are far away but when they are all over around, Pamberi-E-Ukwa ali ziiiiiiii!

  82. It is a meaningless club they wield no power.They are a group of has been who cannot ride away in the sunset.They still crave the recognition they had in the past.Once one  has ridden in a motorcade everything else is an anti climax.

  83. Congratulations RB. Thanks for the peaceful handover of power to Sata. Just for that, you deserve the recognition in democratic circles.

  85. Hi RB, you have made us proud. some of us who did not listen to pOST nuisance know that you are a kind hearted man. Well done RB.

  86. Well we all error and there is nothing good that comes out of insults. The guy handed over power and stepped out of active politics setting another pace for Zambian politics. Those of you who keeping on insulting, “is Mugabe better for you?” Busy insulting you own grandfather, how better are you? For the peace you gave us after the elections, congratulations RB!

  87. Big up to RB and congrats on a job well done!

    Let me ask a question: of all the people around the world who have been honoured, Clinton, Martin Luther King, Blair, Mandela … etc, is there one who is ABSOLUTELY without any blame at all?
    NONE! They’ve all had scandals, blemishes, allegations and problems. Yet, they are still great men, that we are encouraged to emulate.
    Why? Because despite their flaws, they still excelled, went through the trials of life, and came out smiling.

    But who am I fooling, you want to read insults or unfounded praises.

    Wake up my country.
    Open your eyes and see.
    Stop the hate, politicians come and go, Zambia will always be here.

  88. RB belongs to the category of people who see the bigger no wonder such well deserved recognition.His impact for the barely two years that he led the country is simply owesome.Let every Zambia celebrate his recognition.As usual he has opened a path that future leaders of Zambia should strive to take.ZICEPESINI NDIPO MUZAKWEZEDWA. ULEMU KU MPANDO BA PRESIDENT RUPIAH BWEZANI BANDA NDIPO MAFUNO ABWINO. YAMUNYOKOLA JELASI WINA. WHEN HE SPEAKS, IT BECOMES EVIDENT THAT A LEADER HAS SPOKEN. WE LOVE U RB. ZAMBIA MISSED IT ON 30 SEPTEMBER 2011.

  89. RB belongs to the category of people who see the bigger SHOULD READ RB BELONGS TO A CATEGORY OF LEADERS WHO SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE

  90. President for all Zambians you deserve the recognition, RB. As for the haters, please continue feeding on Fred Mmembe’s propaganda against RB, which he continues to spread without a shred of evidence. RB is not in power and if Mmembe had any evidence against him, he would have already given it to the police, ACC, Task Force, DEC and all institutions that have been unleashed on Sata’s enemies. In case you haters forget, what would have Mmembe written in his Post had Henry Banda borrowed K14bn from DBZ and failed to pay.

  91. Forgive the people who admitted RB to their club. Unless you don’t love Zambia. RB is the most corrupt president for Zambia. He is a very bad example. There is zero to be proud of. He had no choice when he gave up power though he had planned to rig. He belongs in jail.Lets be real

  92. Rewarding RB is like rewarding a father who goes in a bar and brags about paying his children schools fees and late too. RB made Chiluba’s stealing look like a joke. In other civilised nations corrupt leaders get locked up. I can’t wait for that to happen in Zambia. MMD have surelly made stealing (laitoing) and coruption normal. Who will save Zambia?????

  94. I WONDER WHAT CRITERIA WAS USED TO ADMIT THIS MAN.FATHER OF CORRUPT CHILDREN.CORRUPT HIMSELF.THE CHAP DESPITE HAVING LOST ELECTIONS DID NOT WANT TO HAND OVER.WHAT DEMOCRATIC MORALITY DOES HE HAVE – ZERO.

  96. We should be proud as Zambians to have one of our leaders honoured internationally. Give to RB what belongs to RB and to Sata what belongs to Sata. Lets wait and see what MCS will be recognised for, maybe as founder of Muchinga Escapment or 90 days promiser.

  97. I have have just come from talking to RB, He is sending warm greetings to all Zambians including PF cadres…. He said as a former president for (ooohr) all Zambians I love you (ooooooohr) all. And God bless yuuuuuuuuuh (you).

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