President Edgar Lungu has called on leaders in the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) to stick to principles of democracy and constitutionalism to prevent conflicts in the region.
President Lungu has urged member states of the ICGLR to collectively deliberate and agree on lasting solutions to end conflict and democracy in the region.
Mr Lungu said when he gave his maiden speech as heard of state at yesterday’s extraordinary summit here that conflicts could only be prevented if leaders were fair and confronted the root causes besetting the region.
“When we act fairly and play by the rules as leaders, we shall surely prevent the many conflicts that afflict our region today,” said Mr Lungu during a summit which was attended my six heads of stars from the ICGLR as well as Jacob Jump of South Africa.
The ICGLR is currently witnessing some tarbulant period with about five of its members struggling with insecurity and humantarian situations. The latest is Burundi where more than 100,000 people have been forced out of the country due to protests that was sparked by President Pierre Nkuruzinza’s bid to run for a third term.
Mr Lungu called on regional leaders to continue to strive in search of sustainable solutions to the challenges facing the region.
“But this can only be realised if we honestly and flankly confront the root causes of the conflicts besetting the region,” he said.
“The endless migratory trends of our people trekking from place to place in search of safety, peace and stability is hard to imagine in the 21st centuary.
Mr Lungu said the unbearable pain and permanent injuries suffered by citizens as they run away from conflicts in their countries should impact on the conscience of their leaders.
He paid a special tribute to the Zambian people for maintaining peace and unity, before, during and after the general elections in January this year.
“Let me, once again, re-affirm zambia’s commitment to the great lakes region, and the pact we signed on peace and stability, and pledge that zambia will continue to support the effective approaches and initiatives at resolving conflicts in any of our member states under the agreed regional framework,” he said.
Earlier Angolan President Eduardo Dos Santos who is also chairperson of the ICGLR said when he opened the summit that current situation in the region was worrying.
Mr Do Santos saluted the army loyal to the government in Burundi for thwarting the attempted coup last week and called for a quick dialogue that could facilitate legitimate elections in a transparent manner.
He also welcome progress made in the Central African Republic (CAR) and urged the African Union and the United Nations to seek peaceful solutions to conflict in South Sudan.
“I also invite all to face terrorism with seriousness, the massacre of 158 people by the El Shabbab (in Kenka) should be condemned vehemently, let us strengthen and fight terrorism and let the defence forces and intelligence in the region work together and beyond border,” he said.
Is it true that Vatican: Priests Have Been Raping Nuns to Avoid prostitutes with HIV.
It has been revealed that priests from at least 23 countries have been sexually abusing nuns.
Most of the abuse occurred in Africa, where priests vowed to celibacy, who previously sought out prostitutes, have preyed on nuns to avoid contracting the Aids virus… and that, Catholic clergy have been exploiting their financial and spiritual authority to gain sexual favours from nuns, particularly those from the Third World who are more likely to be culturally conditioned to be subservient to men.
The reports said that such priests had demanded sex in exchange for favours, such as certification to work in a given diocese.
In extreme instances, the priests had made nuns pregnant and then encouraged…
What does Priests bonking nuns got to do with this story? Bushe walipena iwe just like the priests you are talking about?!!!!!!!!!!!
As long as nuns don’t report alleged rapes, we assume its consensual and as far as i know nuns are all over 18 years of age. Case dismissed, it’s non of our business.
Chibulu; this topic does not fit in with the headlines. Stay dumb.
H.E President Lungu, an icon of functional democracy and constitutionalism in modern Africa. He is exponentially emerging as another model leadership institution in the league of Kakaya Mrisho Kikwete. Making mature and rational citizenry proud.
@ Senile Citizen
It is absolute shame that he is not practicing home what he is preaching abroad.
As to comparison to Kikwete, can I please have some of the stuff you are smoking.
it will really take serious work from the opposition to beat lungu.
You read my thinking – this guy is growing stronger by the day. As soon as the economy starts to respond – izavuta!!!
It is laughable that Edgar Lungu can advise on democracy when in his own country, he continues to abuse public media and the Public Order Act. His party the PF has embarked on a plot to annihilate the opposition. Can such one lecture on democracy?
Another useless African talking shop were dictators like Dos santos aren’t even ashamed to stand up and make a statement. Waste of resources.
@Chibulu. We are attending Summit not inspecting nuns and priest, mind you they are human beings. Well said Mr president, why hold on to power when you failed to wrk within your term its sign that someone is sitting on problems doesn’t want others to find what is hiding
How does our president give a speach about what he does not practice in his own country?
The English in this article is bad. These conferences should be recorded and played every year.
LT please take time to edit your stories to make them readable.
See paragraphs 2 and 3 for mistakes.
Spot on!! who is Jacob Jump from South Africa? what does “flankly” mean? Where is Kenka?
Paragraph 4 has heads of stars too.
Such a good short item has been spoilt.
Can the Editor-in-chief take a look at this?
Santos is a shameless dictator and as such he has no right to talk about conflict resolution .
Hahaha. From a man who ascended to his party presidency by the raising of pangas and hands. What a joke.
African leaders & their talking shops. EU are addressing issues of sub saharan migrants dying in the mediterranean sea because of your poor leadership & you are busy parting yourselves on the backs for ruining this continent.