The announcement was made by Zambia’s Foreign Minister Harry Kalaba on Saturday.
“I reiterate my statement made on July 9, 2016 in Rabat,” Zambia’s top diplomat told Morocco’s official news agency Maghreb Arab Press (MAP).
During a visit to Rabat last July, Mr Kalaba had announced his country’s decision to withdraw its recognition of the so-called SADR and cut all ties with it.
In his interview with MAP, the foreign Minister reiterated that his country “supports the efforts of the United Nations to help the parties find a long-lasting solution to the conflict over the Western Sahara.”
“Zambia seeks to contribute in a constructive way in these efforts by adopting a position that is neutral and open to the concerned parties and supporting an efficient dialogue,” he added.
The Zambian Foreign Minister went to add that his country believes that “Morocco’s return to the African Union affords the African family an opportunity to push for this question, which has lasted for a long time, towards a peaceful solution in a spirit of African consensus, dialogue and mutual respect.”
The announcement was made less than a month after Morocco’s return to the African Union and few days following King Mohammad’s official visit to Zambia.
During the visit, King Mohammed VI and Zambia’s President, Edgar Chagwa Lungu, chaired the signing of 19 partnership agreements between the Morocco and Zambia.
When I tell you this shameless Lazy Bum Edgar is taking us nowhere and has no vision this is exactly what I mean…these empty tins are so corrupt they would sell their grandmas for a brown envelope….barely a month ago they welcomed the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic delegation now these empty tins dont recognise it after that King left last week. What has changed? This bum is now going to Israel…really sad!!
UUUUUMMMM! these guys can change really. Ubufi, wenya, boza, bubela, lying. These people have no shame
Eediots! Real stinking eediots! Taking us back to slavery and colonialism. Lungu is a toothless bum. The likes of Lungu were the muzungu wangas whom colonial masters depended on to divide and rule Africa. He is just a coward.
very dumb pf inconsistency
One thing we don’t know is whether its the media misleading the people or the government. Until then, never trust the second hand information.
What do you expect when Kaiza Zulu is your adviser on Political Affairs?
Kalaba must resign.
Next time he should ask Kalusha Bwalya if a country has a national team or not.
As much as policirs can be dynamic, i believe this one is a bad policy shift that throws our credibility to the wind regardless of the coercive forces behind it. I believe its been rashed through without considering the many variables at play with respect to history and the need of upholding our enduring credentials in the frontline of liberation and justice for the oppressed. Morocco has exploited our susceptibility. Who will trust us in the international arena?
As much as policies can be dynamic, this is a coercive shift in no way good for the country. Where are Presidents Kaunda and Banda as well as our former Foreign policy leading minds that ought to be helping President Lungu on tough such consequential policies constructively?
UPND Minions rant and rave like always…..
And the significance of this is……….?
What do they smoke in PF?
Western Sahara should withdraw recognition of Lungu as president.
Zoona, that’s why they say the PF00Lish Govt is a CHIPANTE-PANTE Govt
How many times is LUNGU going to disown Western Sahara? 1st he recognizes Western Sahara, next he disowns them. Then he recognizes them again after Moroccan King refused to visit. 2 weeks later he disowns them after Moroccan King agrees to visit.
Last year they said IMF is coming, shortly after that we hear that we don’t need IMF & we are actually told by their Finance Minister that “we have excess reserves”. 2 days later we here that IMF is on it’s way to Zambia.
2 weeks ago their Misinformation Minister declared that deadNBC was NOT for sale. Just last week the same mouth announces that 60% of deadNBC has been sold to ma-choncholi & for the next 25years all advertising, tower rentals & subscription will…
CONT’D……
Just last week the same mouth announces that 60% of deadNBC has been sold to ma-choncholi & for the next 25years all advertising, tower rentals & subscription will be used to pay for the Kaloba they borrowed.
Very CHOPET Gabament. How do u betray oppressed people of western Sahara?
@maloza: You are 100% correct. When you do not stand for anything you will fall for everything.
It is simply because the current gov’t do not stand for anything. This country was respected around the whole world and certainly among fellow Africans during Kaunda because Liberation of our fellow Africans was a matter of principle for us, even at great cost to ourselves. When President Mwanawasa took his last state visit to Namibia he broke ranks with most SADC leaders by openly criticizing Mugabe. That was based on principles.
You expect no respect from no one if you can not hold your position and get swayed by who is offering you more.
I cannot agree with you more, whoever coined the cipante pante name was spot on, it is like asking your family to get ready jump in the car and start off to nowhere. I wonder what some Zambians see in these dogs to even dignify them as leaders!
Next, Zambia should close the “embassy of Palestine” & have no dealings with Palestine;conditions given by Israel to set up an embassy in Lusak, to show committment that Israel is a friend to Zambia.
Zambia should send regrets to all guerrilla movements it helped fight for independence in africa.
And we call this leadership? Unprincipled, shameless, no focus, weak, unafrican. Zambia used to lead in Africa’s emancipation now it leads in bootlicking colonisers like Morocco. Lungu has been bribed by the Arab king.
Look at that picture.it tells a million things. Look at how Lungu stands like a robot sticking out his right arm like a reluctant schoolboy asked by his teacher to reconcile with a classmate he fought with. There is nothing presidential about his body language. Look at how the Moroccan king beams as if he has just landed a big one.he is saying I’ve got this boy in my pocket.
What benefits was Zambia going to gain by maintaining ties with an illegal country. We will lose nothing but gain a lot of respect. If opposition parties in Zambia want to recognize that country wait until 2060.
You already have relationships with illegal countries such as Taiwan
Unprincipled charlatans. The highest bidder secures shame on you! You constantly bring shame to Zambia
What do you expect from a dishonest chap? He has no principles, a flip flop, chaff that goes where the wind blows.
It is already said but THERE IS NO LOSS TO ADD TO THE CORRECT VOICES!! The Sarahwi Democratic Republic (SDR) has a SEAT IN THE AFRICAN UNION (AU). So what is this SILLY FLIP-FLOPPING about recognizing the SDR! Even when Morocco was applying to re-join,they were told that the issues of DENYING THE SDR A SEAT WAS NEVER TO BE ON AGENDA, so THEY (MOROCCO) WERE RE-ADMITTED UNCONDITIONALLY and then someone a few pocketing a few trinkets, chooses to go against a LONG STANDING CONTINENTAL UNDERTAKING TO ALLOW WESTERN SAHARA PURSUE ITS CHOICE FOR SELF DETERMINATION through a UN REFERENDUM!
Chipante pante Continues after the break…….
You are just dictatorial in your thinking bane. You can say that it was chipantepante if PF was just changing the policies own its own. In the case of PF, when a tough policy is introduced, they most often know that it could either break through or the it might fail. When they begin to see and hear the cry and effects, they quickly adjust and listens. Its called flexibility and not being Chipantepante. PF is not a dictatorial regime but a Party that rules with its people and all stake holders. Its only PF that has tried to introduce tough measures that can uplift Zambia out of poverty especially by taxing the Mines. But what do chaps in opposition do? you gang up against a noble cause with the Mine Owners, you begin to support them and dine with them until Govt buckles. What Chipante…
Circus of the highest order. LOLEST. What an embarrassment yaba. What a joke of a president we have. Lungu lacks authority. The King of Morocco looks more at home at State House that Lungu whose presidential portrait is in the background. What do you expect RB is the Chief Advisor.
You chaps are just jealous.
Zambia cannot, in an explicit way declare any support for something they little understand. So the two parties visited Zambia and Zambia now can state their judgement. Zambia now has been informed by both Western Sahara and the Morocco through its King. Its not wrong at all now for government to state its new position. The initial position was a result of the cry from freedom fighter commentators. A logical position for Zambia has now been announced. What if Morocco recognizes Barotseland, what are you going to say. Viva flexibility, viva PF. They say PF is inconsistent, nooooooo! PF is simply flexible and accommodating. You cannot just shy away from advise and understanding. PF cannot just be sticking to its guns when the obvious become a better solution. Why…
Zambia is run by clueless corrupt Buff00n2, right from the top, where all clueless Chagwa & his ministers know is Dancing, Drinking, Touring, & above all Stealing.
This is a guy who stole from customers whilst practicing Law, & run a kantemba br0thel in Chawama. All his ministers are equally useless, compromised, & using Zambia as an A.T.M machine, whilst the Nation grinds to indecision, & a SWIFT HALT!!
What do equally Brain Dead Clueless P.F Cadres have to say about this Joke. Ka mundetelele where are you?? Time to crawl out of your cave, & give us a rational sober non -partisan explanation.
we stand to benefit more from Morocco than Saharawi, which is just a desert and nothing there.so why waste our time with them. The whole world is looking to Morocco than a desert land. The Government is right we need to move with the times. Those agreements we signed will benefit the country .when the Saharawi guy came he did nothing and has nothing to offer yet from Morocco we signed so many agreements which will build our land.so people need to start thinking with their heads not misplaced emotions.
In other words, let us sacrifice principles for a few dollars. That’s how Judas Iscatiot thought – be could not get 30 pieces of silver from Jesus; therefore he betrayed him.
The money Saharawi delegation paid is far much less than the King of Morocco paid, so what do you expect other than change goal posts.
It is better to keep quite rather than commenting on national issues which you do not understand just for the sake of showing off. Ba UPND tamwa ishiba who is the Zambian President so why comment on national issues which does not concern you.
I cannot understand the hallaballoo caused by an erroneous headline when you can read the actual words of Hon Kalaba “…Zambia supports the efforts of the UN tohelp the parties find a long lasting solution to the conflict over the western Sahara”
“Zambia seeks to contribute in a constructive way on these efforts by adopting a position that is neutral and supportingan efficient dialogue”.
Simple and VERY clear statements. Bloggers you tell me that you cannot read? I warned you not to allow yourselves to be infected with UPNDonkey disease whose major symptoms include hallucinations and hh-like thinking.
Erroneous headline? Apply for the editor’s job
Morocco is a dictatorship with the king running a self-serving show. It is like S. Arabia where the family owns everything and citizens cannot even spell a word”Ballot”! These are the countries which Edgar C. Lungu wants to align his regime with.
Any one can bribe lungu. Even the boer national party of SA can bribe him to withdraw recongnition of the ANC.
Lol useless Lungu got paid by the king of Morocco, what P##$y he is.
Schoolboy errors by schoolboy Lungu
le roi du Maroc a fait beaucoup d’efforts pour faire avancer l Afrique via 1053 conventions , allant de l agriculture jusqu’à la formation de l élément humain, ses activités, ses visions et ses dons ont donné des bons résultats.
JJ you are shameless. You and your friend will never be president in Zambia or in Zamunda.
Morocco has never been a colonial power . it was itself colonized by the french and the Spanish,
What you should know is
/ the Sahrawis are composed of merely 100000 people . 40000 that are taken hostages* by the Polisario front south of the border city of Tindouf in Algeria and 60 thousand unionists in the sahrawi cities that are part of morocco . Would you give your country away to a bunch of separatists that are sold out to a foreign power (in our case as Moroccan to Algeria)???.
The Military junta of Algiers has already taken our land (oriental Sahara) and has been trying for more than 40 years to get access to the Atlantic ocean at our detriment as Moroccans.They can dream they have another 400000K years and if it has to happen it would be on the bodies of 38 million Moroccans…
Long live the Zambian and Moroccan friendship
I’m Moroccan and I can say that I’m shocked to read all the comments and the misinformation I have touched about the Western Sahara and the fake state of Polisario .. Dear Zambians first please read about the history of the region and yourselves will discover the misleading and the misinformation about this issue . This fake state doesn’t exist at all but it’s a gang sponsored by the military regime of Algeria . From the name of the fake state you will all discover the fake story behind this state since there’s no such an Arab thing in the Moroccan Sahara , the native people of North Africa and the southern parts next to Mali and niger are called Berber not arabs and they speak A language called Tafinagh and not Arabic . Algeria is the one behind the Arab thing and they want to label…
Mourad Reda, how many times have you guys held elections to choose a government and a leadership for your country? Saharawi people were colonized by Spain and deserve their own government instead of you invading and grabbing them. Algeria is a peace loving nation which holds scheduled elections unlike your country. You had decided to align your country with Europe, declaring that you were NOT an African country. At one time, you even did not want to be associated with African football tournament considering yourselves as a European country and had nothing to do wit any African activity!
My brother mwape, your comments prove my point which Zambian people are misinformed
And here’s the answers to your questions :
Last time we held in election to choose our government was October the 7th 2015 and we always picked our government through elections since independence
Secondly we didn’t grab anything from anyone . Spain was forced diplomatically by Morocco to leave the south of our country and the Spanish army with agreements with the Moroccan army switched positions before even this Arab state was created by Algeria and you can see a video in YouTube where you can see the Spanish army leaving posts Morocco taking control peacefully
Finally , Algeria isn’t a peace loving country , between 1990 and 1999 the Algerian army killed 100 thousand of their own in a civil war…
Just to let you know Morocco has held elections since its independence in 1956 every 5 years to elect the members of the parliament and the prime minister who in fact leads the government is chosen from the party who scores more votes . Today it is MR Abdellilah Benkirane Of the PDJ party
As for you saying “Algeria is a peace loving Nation” I just want to tell you be thankful it is not your neighbor!! ,. Just check ,using google, who is the country that spends the and in billions of dollars in weaponry and what for???
As for The CAN 2015 do not please forget that We asked for postponing because of the epidimic of Ebola at that time and we were not logistically(equipment and staff wise) to face a spread among us and the visitors.
However you should know that the only airline that kept…
However you should know that the only airline that kept a life line to the west African nations struck by the epidemic was la RAM our national airline company mostly Liberia and Sierra Leon.
Shame on you Zambia . Three months ago I read an article in this newspaper talking about the visit of the Moroccan dictator to Zambia and some welcomed it and others not esp the Zambian prime minister who visit Morocco and was manipulated and bought of many . African government are cheap can sell their mother’s with money and with you or without we will keep going in liberating pur land
Here comes a puppet of the algerian military junta!!!
How is the puppet ?? Shut the duck up moroccan slave . You kiss hands and ass. I’m a saharwi citizen living in occupied territories n you master pendijo. What elections you were ttalking about . The king selects and chose the prime minister open parliement select government . Head of judiciary . Chef of army is the king what do you have in your country . Elections are corrupted they gave money to poor Moroccans to vote . I got question for you since you talk about democracy and elections all what they saharwi want is referendum . Let them chose whether to be independent or join Morocco . You invade western sahara after Spain left in what is called black March . You try to manipulate our brother’s . Go to he’ll . We will preveal . And GARGARAT region is the best example . We are coming…
Hey puppet
Bring it on you son of a spanish bitch mixed with french legion.s larvae!!
You Moroccan government mouthpieces above should stop lying. Morocco is a kingdom we all know that. How could it have held elections since 1956? We all know that even North Korea holds elections. Morocco has had two elections since the Arab spring after your King introduced constitutional reforms in 2011.
Arguing here means really nothing as I can see and who really cares!
Anyway Zambian leader took a brave decision to correct a historical mistake and I’m glad he did and gave light to a new era of partnership between Morocco and Zambia
If Morocco is a dictatorship, I don’t know what else working around the continent ! It seems like everyone in Africa is so so democratic thats why their people including Algerians , run away and came to Morocco to seek asylum and live in peace ! By the way Algeria is lead by a president bedridden. Go figure.