Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo says Zambia’s commitment and participation towards the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 flagship project of Silencing the Guns by 2020 is bearing fruit despite challenges surrounding the process.
Mr. Kampyongo observed that although Zambia is grappling with the issues of displaced persons from other countries, it is determined to ensure that peace and security prevails at all cost.
The Minister disclosed this in an interview with ZANIS in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia yesterday.
He explained that Zambia remains committed by demonstrating its desire through the use of the slot that it has on peace and security including its membership on the Southern African Development Community Troika (SADC) on Politics, Peace and Security.
“We see how we can fully participate in achieving this goal”, he emphasised.
Mr. Kampyongo pointed out that the hotspots within the Great Lakes Region remain a concern in terms of conflicts considering that arms, among other weaponry tools are not managed and regulated.
According to the Home Affairs Minister, with such developments in place, it is therefore, crucial to ensure that member states are encouraged to take stock of the arms by controlling the situation.
On the free movement of people, Mr. Kampyongo reiterated that Zambia supports the spirit of people moving freely across the continent.
He, quickly, however, contended that the practice should not be done at the expense of internal sovereignty security that countries are striving so hard to promote.
“It is important that we do not lose sight since there are issues of terrorism and criminal activities, and that is Zambia’s participation on the Agenda 2063 flagship project of Silencing the Guns is critical”, he noted.
He added that opening the borders to other countries demands that stringent measures are taken into account and adhered to for the safety of the citizenry and peace and security in the region thereby taking root.
And commenting on this year’s theme for the 30th ordinary session of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government Summit dubbed, “Winning the Fight Against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation,” Mr. Kampyongo observed that when corruption takes root, peace and security of member states is also compromised.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kampyongo has commended President Edgar Lungu for his unwavering leadership demonstrated towards addressing the refugee situation in the country.
The Home Affairs Minister stated that President Lungu has been at the core to ensure peace prevails in the region.
He added that the current influx of refugees from the DRC which stands at over 14, 000, is overwhelming in terms of Government’s provision of social services to the displaced including the citizenry.
Mr. Kampyongo noted that Zambia’s peace and security should be embraced by everyone for sustainable economic growth and development.
He has thanked the various local and international institutions that are supporting Government in providing for the displaced persons in Zambia as the development requires concerted efforts.
“We are grateful to the various institutions such as the UN agencies, Red cross, among other stakeholders for the hand they have extended to Government,” he applauded.
And according to the African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, in his 2018 New Year message to Africa, restated that the African Union remains committed to working with Member States to deliver on the ambitious Agenda 2063 flagship project of Silencing the Guns by 2020.
This guy works hard.
What a great minister he has proved.
A step in the right direction stephen
No guns
I’m a PhD holder
Thanks
BB2014,2016
Nonsense, 21st century Africans still don’t know what a machete(a farming implement) is supposed to be used for,but only misuse and abuse it to hack and maim each other and you expect to silence guns, ayo nima jokes.
Kampyongo and Mushota, I have been having mood swings lately. Please be quiet!
how about being on course silencing corruption?
HARDWORKING KAMPYONGO…………………MAY OTHER MINISTERS EMASCULATE HIM …..
PROJECTS HAVE STALLED…UTH PROJECT IS MOVING AT A SNAIL PACE , WHERE IS THE MINISTER OF FIMOFIMO ..???????
The man actually looks lost when talking about sensible things.He is more at home with issuing threats and othe useless things.If he was to be interviewed on what he is talking about am sure he would be groping in the dark.
WOW THESE ARE ANSWER FROM A MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS TALKING ON BEHALF OF 17 MILLION ZAMBIANS ,,,,WHAT A CALIBRE OF A MINISTER ZAMBIANS CHOSE
Utter rubbish…..he talks of combating corruption yet him and lungu are the corruption……he talks about DRC refugees yet lungu and the other SADC hopeless gang support the dictator kabila…
Yes rubbish; they have failed to silence machetes from intercity; how can they silence guns? they’re the most government Zambia has ever known; what a hypocrite young minister;
True. They don’t know what a machete is supposed to be used for, they want to talk about silencing guns.
Really laughable … Stephen Kampyongo a former Katondo Street Currency Dealer as Home Affairs Minister whose highest qualification is a certificate in Business Administration. Yet the Lazy thing in State House wonders why his ministers are out of their depths and not delivering.
Does a machete make noise, no, only a victim , anyoko, how many pipo voted for kamyomgo. So why , in your limited logic, is he speaking on behalf of 17 million pipo.
So 17 million pipo voted for kampyongo, not bad anyoko when less tha 4 million are registered as voters
Another arrogant colonial bootlicker, you live in tne country of out colonial masters. Good one jack, or is that union jack. Tbe brits were brutal.
What a joke and double speak! This clown who has thrived on corruption and is a cohort in his boss’ corruption campaign should be the last person to talk about the corruption fight!! He will support by day and be the main proponent of the vice with the nightfall.
The 40 million dollar fire truck man himself speaks!! This man stinks of corruption.
I just want to comment football in Zambia we have good players ,but our team manager Mr wadson where are under 20 players the boys are far better then some guys in the team I don’t how you pick players start thinking right now Zambia need’s players who can make things happen some players even at club’s they don’t score goals why don’t waste time time picking non performers please you can do better then this thanks
Honorable minister, if you can put on strictly measures on the issue that you are saying, then am giving you a credit coz that’s the only way to go.
At the root of all Hot spots is: Corruption, Human Rights Violations, Poor Leadership and Management of resources, Torture,Impunity, Killing of innocent people, and lack of Rule of law and Democratic Governance.
These are our main problems in Zambia. Therefore, before Zambia becomes an Hot spot, let us address these problems, Now!!