The presidential spokesperson, in an interview with journalists just before the presidential entourages’ departure to Addis Ababa, explained that he is compelled to respond to these critics because their uninformed debate can mislead the nation.
“Debate in a democracy can be tolerated but uniformed debate can mislead the nation and therefore we are compelled to respond,” Mr Chanda said.
He further explained; “The African Union head of state and government summit is attended by heads of states and heads of government.”
“In this particular summit the President has a unique position regarding one assignment he will be representing all African head of states in a campaign to end child marriage therefore he has a major statement on behalf of the heads of states to present to the summit.”
He questioned those criticising President Lungu for going to attend the summit whom they expected to deliver a report tasked to him by the AU and UN.
“So I wonder those criticising, who do you want to deliver that report when the AU and UN have tasked him? He was crowned champion for the “He For She campaign” to end child marriage,” Mr Chanda wondered.
Additionally, Mr Chanda noted that all the international trips the head of state had so far embarked on had already started yielding results.
“There has been phenomenal progress made from the state visits, for example the state visit to Israel there is a green resolution happening in the country thanks to technology coming from Israel,” he said.
“We have a lot from Uganda or the environment conference in Morocco, there is no visit that has not been strategically chosen.”
He noted that President Lungu’s intent is to get as much out of Zambia’s bilateral and multilateral relations during his tenure of office.
“President Lungu’s aim is to get out as much from the bilateral, multilateral relationships Zambia has…It is total ignorance. How does someone criticise attendance of an AU summit, is he criticising the entire Africa? Anyway such criticism is baseless and does not bother us,” said Mr Chanda.
We are not refusing that heads of state attend. But sometimes let us learn to be strategic and ask ourselves what it is we will gain from him attending and what we will lose if instead a minister attends or even a permanent secretary who will actually have the brains to interact with key technocrats there. You will find that the cost of a president travelling outweighs the benefits. Anyway let him go so that we the chances of his death via plane are increased. This might be a blessing in disguise
Nez, you are the most idi-otik person I have ever come across on this platform. How do you wish somebody death. Let me warn you!! you are the one who is going die first. In fact you are a worst bacteria on earth.
I didn’t hear anyone disputing PF gatherings at airport. The guys were just encouraging by suggesting that New Ultra modern state of the art State House should be built at KKAiport.
@Zilion, why are you wishing NEZ death?
End child marriages at AU.
End child marriages at AU. Start with Zuma.
Why is getting foreign investors. When is he going to start investing in Zambians. It should be the other way round. We are always begging for money
What are we getting from the poor Uganda? Importing dictatorship could be the outcome as witnessed through the attacks at burial sites.
Just review Lazy’s last 10days ..you will find that he has spent more time in the air and abroad or out of town!!
Jay jay
Hahahahahah, you have been calling lungu lazy bum from time in memorial,, you won’t down grade him or up grade him yet????
Kamwendo munjila.
He jumps at any opportunity to fly out of the country. He makes $65,000/day in allowances every time he flies out.
You criticize everything, even when he is at State House not moving.
Bearing false witness.
There he goes again. Overstepping his job description. Chanda stick to advising the president on press matters. Or is it that you don’t know how to advise him that you resort to swiping flies from his face?
It is government against the people every time. The shame of being a Zambian citizen.
If Lungu delegated some trips and ‘turned down’ some of the so-called invitations, we wouldn’t see such endless crowds at the airport. Imagine the resources that would also have been saved by now. It is mind boggling how many times just in the last few weeks, whether for external or internal Presidential trips, that cadres, officials and service chiefs have gathered at the airports. They will be there again when he returns from the summit. Can’t he just sneak back in? The statements he makes on the airport tarmac haphazardly over a number of issues are best addressed at a press conference with room for proper questions.
God help Zambia especially people live in this country.
Iwe Amos, you cannot describe someone criticising the trip as “totally ignorant”. Most of the criticisms are in the context of the numerous trips that are made and consequently gobble up resources. Not all need be taken by Lungu or at all. Some can be turned down, others delegated to persons who wouldn’t need a large entourage or such ‘send offs’ at the airport. Don’t try and justify trips by hyping up their ‘importance’. The AU is mostly a talking shop – not much meaningful action on the ground, including the campaign to end child marriages that you allude Lungu to have been crowned a champion of.
Iwe Amos Chanda, you say “….people criticising the President….”, there are no people criticising the President, only donkeys called UPNDonkeys. Politeness or slip of the tongue, eh Amos?
Amos it will bother you someday
Those who post should indicate their personal opinion than representing Zambian people.It us misleading.Stop lying and let us get to work.