President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has delivered his maiden speech to the African Union (AU) at the on-going 24th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State.
President Lungu thanked the AU for the overwhelming support that Zambia received during the trying period following the death His Excellency Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata and the challenging transition that followed.
“You supported us during the transition period as the democratic credentials and governance institutions were put to test. I am pleased to inform this august House that the just ended presidential by-election in my country, in what was a hotly contested race, has once again demonstrated the collective resolve of the Zambian people to ensure that Democracy and Good Governance are firmly entrenched in our governance system,” President Lungu said.
The President also thanked the AU, SADC and COMESA for sending Election Monitoring and Observation Missions to Zambia.
“The elections were declared as transparent, peaceful, free, fair and credible. Zambia continues, therefore, to be privileged to have demonstrated that it is possible to have peaceful changes of Government, even for that matter, from one political party to another.”
President Lungu reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to the ideals of the African Union and pledged his administration’s readiness to remain fully engaged in the activities the continental body. Zambia will seek to enhance her presence at the continental level and beyond, by making her voice heard and actively participating in the programmes of the Union.
On the subject of AU Agenda 2063, Zambia firmly believes that this is an important blueprint for the future of our continent and should be fully supported, as a vehicle for Africa’s development.
“We need to ensure that the spirit and resolve contained in this carefully crafted document is fully incorporated into the Post 2015 Development Agenda process and other global developmental efforts,” he said.
“It is in the same vein that as a continent, Africa should prioritise her strategic economic partnerships in order to ensure that they speak to the African Agenda and that our interests are safeguarded.”
The Head of State reassured the AU Assembly that Zambia will be more actively engaged in peace-building and conflict-resolution initiatives on the continent, and particularly within SADC and the Great Lakes region. He called for collaborated efforts to combat the Ebola pandemic, which he described as a serious emerging threat to global social and economic security. “While the pandemic may now be showing signs of decline, the continent should continue to remain alert and my Government will render support to the various commendable efforts already being made.”
President Lungu condemned the increasing occurrences of ruthless attacks and violent tendencies of terrorist groups as well as the militarisation of extreme faith-based organisations in some parts of Africa and called for urgent concerted effort to deal with the problem.
Regarding the reform of the United Nations, the President reassured the AU Assembly that Zambia will, through her membership of the AU Committee of Ten, continue to play her part in ensuring that the process is accelerated. “To this effect, I wish to inform this august house that Zambia will be hosting the next meeting of the C-10.”
Zambia supports AU theme for 2015 as a measure of long-standing commitment to the importance of women to development and their role in leadership. “I wish to confirm to this august House that, in accordance with the Beijing Platform, immediately following my assumption of office, I appointed a female Vice-President, Her Honour Mrs. Inonge Mutukwa Wina, M.P., the first in the history of my country!”
Kul-Jevoha is in control
What the f***ck, why teach children how PF cadres fight? I never do that even to my children I have outside marriage, no fists, no gun-toys, not knives. This president is really a common man.
Nostradamus, the fella is dancing not fighting. You need to chill
I watched it live
He was stuttering he looked drank or rather intoxicated , very very bad, for anyone that saw it.
His accent was very heavy too
Thanks
Thats my president right there !! Ifintu ni Lungu balisosa.
Out of Zambia theory….
Mushota is reliable. She loved Sata not Lungu. But
SAULOSI is a cadre, he loves PF and don’t care the difference between Sata & Lungu.
And me:
I don’t like anything PF… Including the dog dressed in T-shirt at inauguration. PF died with Sata, and that party is now called Rainbow Party.
A new face on the Zambian political landscape – a privilege not many other African countries enjoy. Zambians owe themselves a pat on the back. They deserve respect and better treatment from their politicians. Mr. Lungu must learn from RB – you mess up you are out!
tell us more about this vision for africa 2063. ifwe fwebambi ninshi tuli muma 80 years. we shall fit in, kaili retirement is going up from 65 to 85.
Is that a President !?! No words.
True Son of the soil u ve made it so far continue in the same spirit my Head of State. Continue enjoying good health.
The leader you cant just hate,
hating him is like disliking yourself, some blogers called him Boko haram mohammed Lungu, They will walk in shame for their un thoughtful words,not until they appoligize.
Hate the game and not the player.
It’s good to be back on the international scene. The last three years we were a recluse state. We are now rendering our voice on the various happenings in the world that affect us both directly and indirectly. Well done ECL.
Good,Good our beloved President.May God grant you a long life.
Inonge Wina created a candidate, we created a president, it is up to him to create a legacy. So far so good. What will be interesting is to see whether Edgar Lungu can get a government that can deliver. As good as Chikwanda is, I really feel he has outlived his relevance. A finance minister who cannot tell a government when to stop spending, is trully a bad seed. PF must have considered other suitable people.
This is not time for changes at fiscal level.
@ 6 Lord Voldemort (The Dark Lord)
You are showing mastery for your witticism here. Very splendid indeed.
Concur @ Lord V
I think just a little shake up there would be good. Hon. Chikwanda is very capable no doubt, but we need more robust ideas and abilities on managing our economy. Even if we have to go to Opposition to grab someone to rejuvenate our path to distructive borrowing.
On the other hand maybe if we wait until 2016 Chikwandwa May gave paid it all back??
Truely Truely we are back at international diplomacy.
This is was expected
True son of the soil. BAWUZE Banvesese lelo
Nostradamus, sour grapes up to now? Wake up to reality.
reminds me of KK, PROMISES,PROMISES…Mr Lungu, KK would NOT have achieved what he did without Julius Mwalimu, without Nkhomo, without Neto, without Machel! If u commit Zambia to such an agenda, then BE true and faithful – YES WE ARE a chosen nation BUT be humble and SOLVE Zambia’s problems…BTW Singapore is celebrating a Jubilee…WE HAD OURS LAST OCTOBER !!!
In the picture the President was just demonstrating how we fight under fives.
He was narrating how he fought HH and how he is going to fight him again in 2016.
He was also narrating how it feels to have won.
long live E.Lungu.I never thought was this intelligent.First time I saw him as a minister was when he was shown dozing in a meeting.The next time I saw him was drinking mosi at a meeting.Never judge intergrity of chakolwa.Long live my president………….
If you cant beat them just join them. ifintu nilungu.
Well, looks like Lungu shall represent us well. Thanks ba Pf
Bambi balelila amavote umunabo is at world stage! Ichaiche!
Better luck next time
After all EL has a vision, he is not shouting at people with bald heads. So far so good. I didn’t vote for but I’m impressed I thought you would be controlled by some bad elements within your party
@ 15 Ine wine
LOL… Fantastic. Very well stated.
EL should have just read that speech in Nyanja mwe, even Sata had a better accent. Ba Lungu kwati teba graduate zoona. Lungu step up you are one of the youngest presidents in Africa. Nkalani bo champuka bane!
Yes ba chitiko improve accent panono.May those words come out clearly like a graduate from UNZA.
Is that a President !?! No words.
Go president Edgar Lungu go!!!haters in UPND can go to hell with their tribal HH who shall rot in opposition!!!IFINTU NI LUNGU!!!
Nice to see His Excellency out and about among the citizenry.
Reminds me of when President Kaunda and First Lady Betty Kaunda came to Addis Ababa in 70’s and us kids in the embassy were so excited to get a glimpse! In my family album, mothers sitting next to Betty Kaunda having a giggle.
In future they will look at these pictures and feel the history of the time, meeting their 6th President of the Republic and Cherish the moment as Patriots!
Concur @ Lord V
A little shake up there would be good. Hon. Chikwanda is very capable no doubt, but we need more robust ideas and abilities on managing our economy. Even if we have to go to Opposition to grab someone to rejuvenate our path to distructive borrowing.
On the other hand maybe if we wait until 2016 Chikwandwa May gave paid…