Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba says Zambia is not an island and must co-exist with other countries.
Mr. Kalaba said President Edgar Lungu is a new person on the block and it was therefore important for him to travel in the SADC region and beyond to get acquainted with what was happening.
He said the President does not just take trips because he has to take trips but that the President and his ministry scrutinize the trips before they are undertaken.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Kalaba was answering questions from journalists concerning President Lungu’s foreign trips shortly after arriving at Harry Mwaanga International airport in Livingstone.
He said the President has so had four invitations to go outside the country but that the Head of State has not travelled to all of them.
Mr. Kalaba said that the President has only travelled to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia to attend the African Union (AU) Ordinary Summit last month and to Zimbabwe to hold official talks with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) chairperson Robert Mugabe adding that he will soon be travelling to Angola on the invitation of the country’s President Eduardo dos Santos.
He explained that President Lungu will only go on trips that would bring benefits to Zambia.
Mr. Kalaba charged that it was important for the President to travel to Angola because that country had finished constructing the Benguela railway line on its side and that Zambia also needed to finish the works on this side as well.
He mentioned that once complete the rail line will provide an opportunity for Zambia to transport copper and other commodities to that country easily and at cheaper costs.
The Foreign Affairs Minister said Zambia was a landlocked country and that by undertaking such beneficial trips President Lungu wants to ensure that the country was land-linked.
Mr. Kalaba said President Lungu has given instructions to his ministry to intensify talks with multi-lateral institutions adding that the country needs to have a lot of Zambian representatives at the international level like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the United Nations.
Iwe ci Kalaba, dont defend Edgar Chakolwa Lungu.
We Zambians are not happy with what he is doing. Instead of forming his full cabinet, the drunkard is busy flying all over the world aimlessly like a child’s kite.
Ci kalaba, you have very big eyes like a cipululu.
Dont sapot wrong things.
Dear Zambians, let us report Robbert Mugabe to the United Nation Security Council so that he can be investigated in the meddling in the affairs of our beloved country by holding our humble and dull drunkard at ransom.
Mugabe wants to turn Zambia into a failed state like Zimbabwe. Please dictator, leave Edgar Lungu alone. I am given to understand that Mugabe has advised Lungu not avoid the 2016 Presidential Elections by all means so that he can remain te president until after 5 years. Please Zambians wake up.
Everything which Edgar does is as a result of the influence from Robbert Mugabe and Rupiah Banda.
Nyamasoya is responsible for Lungu not chosing his cabinet upto today. Iwe ci Rupiah Banda please stop controlling Lungu. Allow the man to lead the country on his own.
It is like a child on Christmas
I think it too early to defend him, when we see the frequency becomes infrequent or illogical we will question them
For now allow mama Dalitso Lungu to accompany her husband. They deserve it, after all THEY collectively might be saying goodbye to statehouse in 2016 after the General Elections.
No qualms from my end, as the seeker of justice and the truth, and also the Queen of Kings.
Thanks
BB2014
Meant to say:
Mugabe wants to turn Zambia into a failed state like Zimbabwe. Please dictator, leave Edgar Lungu alone. I am given to understand that Mugabe has advised Lungu to avoid the 2016 Presidential Elections by all means so that he can remain te president until after 5 years. Please Zambians wake up.
Mugabe wants to rule two countries. Zambia is now a colony of Zimbabwe and the freedom fighters should come out and defend the sovereignty of our mother land.
Mugabe counts Lungu as his vice president no wonder he came in Zambia 2 days before the ECZ officially announced the Kachasu Man as winner.
Mugabe has no respect to Lungu; look’ he was busy putting his hands in his pockets while he was talking to Edgar Lungu. Lungu was welcomed by the vice president and not Mugabe.
Let Lungu travel so that he is not a Provincial President.
All these foreign trips instead of announcing cabinet are meant as a payback for the torment he was subjected to. EL was tormented on his way up to presidency. He said no. They replied “anointed one”. Campaigning was another disaster for him. Some people claim he wanted to concede defeat but a handful pushed him in a tight corner.
You know what your excellency just continue tormenting us. The few who claim to have put you there should also suffer mental anguish. Continuity, anointed one, whatever.com we are all waiting anxiously. Kind of beginning to enjoy this torture game.
DO YOU SEE HOW THIEVES DEFEND EACH OTHER? ALL ZAMBIANS WHO ARE NOT BENEFITING FROM THIS LOOTING AND CORRUPT PRACTICES BY PF GOVERNMENT LET US ALL UNITE AND GET POWER FROM THESE FEW CRIMINALS WHO HAVE BEEN MISDIRECTING OUR COUNTRY FOR MANY YEARS NOW. LET US KICK THEM OUT OF POWER THRU THE BALLOT IN 2016. THIS TIME, WE SHOULD INVEST HEAVILY IN DEVELOPING OUR ANTI-RIGGING MACHINERY FOR 2016 ELECTIONS. LET US ALL UNITE AND GRAB POWER FROM THESE SELFISH MORONS AND CRIMINALS. LOOK CHAKOLWA CHAGWA KALE LUNGU HAS ALREADY INITIATED THE DIRTY TRANSACTIONS OF SELLING OUR COUNTRY TO CRIMINALS OF FOREIGN ORIGIN.
Just leave him until he has done too much damage to his presidency. 2016 is near and the people will realise soon how Rupiah Banda’s hand is in charge. They will also see Mugabe’s touch.
I think I am only away of one international trip so far by President Lungu with the current one for Angola. So what is the fuss about?
As a head of state it is part of your functions to promote the Country globally for bi-laterial relations as well as business opportunities.
RB did exceptionally well in catagory while Sata failed lamentably.
Dont just complain simply because you want to see who he appoints to cabinet and who takes over who.
Zambia has a long way to go before we actually see any real impact of not having a full cabinet in place. We all know that every Govt institution only functions on the instructions of State House with little else to influence the agenda.
MUSHOTA…. Really, are you the seeker of justice, at the expense of aborting and killing babies. What justice did your unborn baby get from you when you killed her?
Who is we? You are not representing Zambians. Say I not we. Kolwestan? Dont annoyed ndiwe Mbuya
@Jane;
You’re just negative minded and you can only appreciate when you do it yourself. Self centeredness erodes good reasoning. EL MUST understand how to do bussiness with others.
Has Lungu addressed his parliament in Zambia already? If not then ayopa chaani mambala?
Kalaba defending the indefensible.
Please Mr. Kalaba spare us from the drama. I have never seen a dog barking with a bone in its mouth, or have you people?
When will it ever cease to speak for someone who is much alive to the fact of defending themselves!
I see Kalaba following Comrade Munkombwe’s thesis of belly politicking, inspection of yapping day & night out.
Meanwhile Moze Katu, Henry progeny of RB is also available at Mfuwe along side recycled dinosaurs from UNIP.
Angola & Zimbabwe have a commonality, both countries are preceded by DICTATORS.
This is Zambia for real when late President MCS was not traveling you said mountains against him, now that ECL is a tourist President again you a complaining.
We are again listening to Kalaba. the same ***** that lied that the president(sata) is healthy and working hard. Zambians never cease to amaze me!!and we still have the same liars in office, meanwhile with your misery and hunger, you are still shouting ati IFINTU NI LUNGU.Atleast,try to teach these politicians for once that you as citizens hold the ultimate power of authority and that you will not allow not tolerate anyone to lie to you. I challenge all the INFINTUSIANS of LUNGU.Did he or did he not,Kalaba,lie to you about the health of the president (Sata)? If yes, why is he still minister in this country?Who made him minister of this country after telling such gruesome lies?If he was appointed by Lungu, doesnt it stand to reason then that lungu doesnt regard you opinion as citizens
I guess it is acceptable in Zambia for a visit to Mfuwe by a shady governor like Moses Katumbi as opposed to the state president Kabila.
“Going to Angola because that country has completed the Benguela Railway and Zambia has to do so as well.” What an excuse! That trip to Angola should be undertaken by the relevant ministry. A president should have confidence in the people he appoints otherwise it is all in vain. What is happening now is called micromanagement.
Just create a balance on these trips. Don’t end up like RB or Sata. Just in between, then people won’t complain.
I think Sir, what worried everyone is the entourage.
If he is going to be having an entourage of 35 people, then of course you and I will rightfully condemn him.
It is a grey area
Thanks
Bb2014
Mr Dizzy Lungu, I believe is doing things the other way round. He should first start by finding means and ways of resolving issues besting the country before going outside to other countries. Now he has started outside before coming back in the country. Is this man normal? Even though he has no vision, he should first start by putting things in order at home. These so called investments are long term. Stocking medicines in hospitals should be his first priority and aliviating poverty. C’mon Mr Dizzy, what development would a bankrupt Zimbabwe bring to Zambia. Mugabe has ruined a once vibrant economy and made the citizens of Zimbabweans beggars all around the world.
Zimbabwe is current chair of AU and Zambia has important tasks to do for Africa such as UN permanent seats for Africa and also South Sudan mediation.
KALABA YOU ARE A LIAR! IF LUNGU’S TRIPS ARE HONEST, WHY IS HE NOT TRAVELLING TO DECENT COUNTRIES LIKE BOTSWANA, NAMIBIA AND SOUTH AFRICA? WHY IS HE ONLY VISITING HIS FELLOW CROOKS WHO FINANCED HIM ONLY TO END UP RIGGING THE ELECTIONS AND STEALING POWER FROM HH AND UPND AND THE REST OF THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE? KA CHAKOLWA CHAGWA KALE LUNGU JUST WANTS TO AMASS WEALTH QUICKLY DUBIOUSLY EVEN BY GETTING A LOT OF TRAVELING ALLOWANCES WITHIN A SHORTEST PERIOD OF TIME, AS WELL AS THROUGH SELLING OUR COUNTRY TO HIS FELLOW FOREIGNERS WHO HE IS CALLING INVESTORS. HE IS EVEN REQUESTING US TO CO-EXIST WITH THESE FOREIGN CRIMINALS. WE ARE WATCHING EVERY STEP LUNGU MAKES, AND 2016 IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER.
Ba Kalaba Learn not respond to any questions as you will soon end up trapping yourself. Do not respond at airport as you have to report to the Head of state first who in turn will allow his spokesman Amos Chanda to update the public. Otherwise so far you are doing well but bring yourselves up to speed on handling media and other interested parties. Some of them like Mmembe their interest is to set you against each other while his newspaper sales. And if you cannot see this very simple but divisive trap too bad. Then you will soon that you will soon start defending yourself up to elections time. EL has a spokesman let Amos who is sober and mature handle these rogues
Dear bloggers,
When are we going to stop the culture of insulting our heads of states?. Kaunda was called Chifonkofonko, Chiluba as Kakafupi, mwanawasa as cabbage, Banda as nyamasoya , Sata as Chimbwi with no plan/Satan now Lungu as Chakolwa. When Hichilema goes to state house will be called names as well.Can’t we stop this hate culture and coexist without evil name calling of our leaders??????
When the so called leaders stop naming each other these nasty names. It is actually these same leaders aka elders in the society who come up with these nasty names. The general population just join in the name – calling game.
It is freedom of speech mwana. These guys have to be thick skinned and not react like GBM or Kambwili or is it Chimbwili.
You seem to be insinuating that UPND are the ones calling people names. How old are you if I may ask? Name calling was been there even before UPND existed. Why so much hared for one political party out of many? What makes you think that all bloggers belong to only UPND and PF? Don’t show your shallowness my brother, this is the free media age. Anyone without any political affiliation but with access to the internet can put up anything. The problem is that some people do it for fun. Therefore you should be able to distinguish sense from nonsense and don’t just blabber anyhow lest you hurt innocent people whose retaliation you will not like.
Where is Mr Comical Fyabukaya Kapeya? I miss his illogical statements.
For real? You better be joking. God riddance if you ask me.
@7.1 Pretty that is why I said illogical statements. No one would miss an illogical statement.
This is what you expect when you vote a man with one kidney ,one ball and no vision. He is trying to get leverage from the dictator with a half dick.
LOL LOL LOL. Ouch! That is something I would never dream of saying. *dead* Easy on the body parts now..
This one will send me to bed laughing, I ll probably wake up laughing. You have made my night. Wicked, mean, funny as hell.
Lusaka Times is good therapy.
But ba Lusaka Times muli ba kalichoo. Ma sour grapes! Herve Renard wins the Africa Cup for the second time and you ignore it as if it is not of interest to Zambia’s impassioned soccer fans! Just because your team was knocked out in the first round doesnt mean you should be this childishly grumpy
ZAMBIANS!!!!!!!! HEHEHEHE!!!!!!
Mugabe wants to turn Zambia into a failed state like Zimbabwe. Please dictator, leave Edgar Lungu alone. I am given to understand that Mugabe has advised Lungu to avoid the 2016 Presidential Elections by all means so that he can remain te president until after 5 years. Please Zambians wake up.
Mugabe wants to rule two countries. Zambia is now a colony of Zimbabwe and the freedom fighters should come out and defend the sovereignty of our mother land.
Mugabe counts Lungu as his vice president no wonder he came in Zambia 2 days before the ECZ officially announced the Kachasu Man as winner.
Mugabe has no respect to Lungu; look’ he was busy putting his hands in his pockets while he was talking to Edgar Lungu. Lungu was welcomed by the vice president and not Mugabe.,
The old man couldn’t risk going to meet Lungu after the fall. Fall from grace….. sorry from the steps.
Every one who works in government knows that seminars/ foreign are a legal way of stilling from the poor.
Allowances that accompany such activities are huge and in most cases one seminar/ foreign trip can be more than ones annual salary.
So do not take Zambians for fulls, EL and his entourage are making millions out of these foreign trips which can not be questioned.
Ask any civil savant on how its hard to attend any seminar/foreign trip, coz bosses always put their names even on attending seminars that are meant for offices sweepers coz of the money involved.
So EL is just steeling money from the government legally.
So wake up Zambians its not for our good but for his pocket.
I think you are asking for too much. Zambians to wake up? Just reflect over the last few months i.e. campaigns etc. Those with ears and eyes responded favourably to the message of Hope and Help but others – no ways. I can’t wait to travel to Zambia and teach people a lesson. If they ask for money I will ask them whom they voted for.
Can assure you that even if a minister “stills” majority Zambians wouldnt care. It’s normal to steal when you are in power. That is why some fight to the last to retain power.
UPND under HH will never rule Zambia Forget you people when are you going to accept wait for 2016 we see this time we never voted and we will teach you a lesson you will never forget.So far we want to dismantle the Tribal party we have sent the likes of GBM MUTATI
NALUMANGO MUCHELEKA MANGANI etc to do the Job come 2021 HH will not stand we are going to the convention chwee chwee chwee
You morons do know that Angola has oil right? China pumps out 2 million barrels a day for their consumption. We could cut our oil costs by half by building a pipeline to Angola. When this happens the opposition shall be wide eyed Ndwi, except for my President Nawakwi.
why why chi-kalaba so
The best thing for Kalaba to know, is that people who voted for PF understand what is going on with the opposition.
Bullying, belching, farting…..all the way to 2016 is the new strategy. Gov’t need not defend against these miscreant behaviours.
His Excellency must soldier on getting the correct people in position.
God Bless His a Excellency
God Bless Zambia
God Bless ALL Zambians and forgive us our sins against each other.
Peace Love Shalom to the World
Hey, don’t insult the intelligence of the Zambian people, they voted well but you dribbled them and they know. Please let us let the sleeping dogs lie.
Count down few more months ni ku ma vote nafuti..Change
Lusaka Times…..please…..The President this…..The President that….get some proper reporters who can write. We know who the President is….and he is just a normal person like you and me….not a god or some super hero. Why do we Zambians make out that presidents or government officials are such special people? The lady smashing rocks on the side of the road is a special person, the doctor in the rural area trying to heal people with limited drugs and working in poor conditions is a special person. Just because someone is putting on a suit we think he is special. Lungu has been elected to do a job in this company called Zambia Limited….instead of flying here there and everywhere like some international globehopper, talking, talking, talking, why not vist our poor hospitals………
….our poor schools, our poor roads, the poor state of our towns. Do the job we are paying you for…..not to visit willy nilly. We are your bosses…..we pay your salary….do some work in Zambia Limited!
@Jane Hamulenga
Bt your excellency am still waitin 4 my appointment up2 nw.i tried to call u dat day bt mr davies chama answered and he ws very rude to me