Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) has has commended President Edgar Lungu for the role he has played in the just ended Election in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
In a statement released to the media and signed by the Institution’s Andrew Ntewewe, YALI said that, as the Chair of the SADC organ on Politics, Defence and Security, President Lungu did phenomenon and excellent international diplomacy by the various meetings he arranged with key stakeholders during the run up to elections.
Below is the full statement by YALI
Press Statement
For immediate Release
10th January, 2019
The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) has noted the announcement of the provisional results in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC elections where opposition candidate Felix Tshisekedi has been elected President.
The election was closely contested, demonstrating the passion for democracy but most importantly it was held in a relatively peaceful manner.
This is Good for democracy. DRC has never had any meaningful democratic elections since attaining independence.
We therefore take this opportunity to congratulate the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on this landmark election.
We are hopeful that the election result will stand and that there will be a peaceful handover of power.
The SADC also deserves special commendation for the exemplary manner in which it has handled this matter which could have degenerated into a serious crisis for the whole region.
In this regard, we at the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Zambian President, His Excellency President Edgar Lungu who is the Chair of the SADC organ on Politics, Defence and Security for the phenomenon and excellent international diplomacy. Job well done Mr. President!!
We are particularly gratified that Zambia has taken its rightful leadership role in the regional and international politics to promote democracy and human development in Africa. We look forward to Zambia taking the Chairmanship of the African Union in 2022.
We take cognisant of the various meetings that President Edgar Lungu has held with various leaders in the region. It has been a marathon tour of various capitals in the region. Additionally, the President has been able to convene and meet various stakeholders including the outgoing president of the DRC, His Excellency, President Joseph Kabila, Opposition leaders in the DRC, the church leaders, civil society leaders and other various interest groups.
It is not an easy undertaking, it requires effective servant leadership.
Currently, the President is out of the country on one of those missions to ensure peace prevails in the Congo and the entire region.
This unwavering commitment to promote democracy, freedom, peace, stability and development on the continent of Africa, is what Zambia is renowned for – A beacon of peace for the whole continent.
Andrew Ntewewe
President
Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI)
what has he done really bootlicking is really getting out of hand.
Lungu did nothing on the DRC elections. Lungu and his SADC leaders met without Kabila and DRC opposition leaders. The DRC Catholic church did all the work and challenged Kabila.
Lungu then pretended to be going to SA to discuss DRC when in actual fact he has gone to seek medical treatment.
Tshisekedi is suspected to have won by cutting a power-sharing deal with Kabila.
Kabila had engineered an electoral coup to deny him the presidency, Fayulu said on Thursday morning. In a statement issued later in the day, he said “unacceptable electoral fraud” had taken place that could lead to chaos across the country.
“No Congolese can accept such treachery, such sham … we cannot accept at the end of this long crusade that the will of our people is not respected … All together, let us say ‘no’ to manufacturing of results and ‘no’ to an electoral holdup … Hand in hand may we pursue this struggle until the end,” Fayulu told his followers.
The continuing tensions threaten to tip the vast central African country into a cycle of protest, violent repression and worsening insecurity –…
Come to think about it, Kabila is really a lucky kid … At 29 he was the first youngest installed president in the world of all times. And he survived 18 years whereas his dad could only manage 4
Lucky kid … it also shows how he managed to make all the power structures satisfied while they made hay as the sun shone. He seemed to be smarter than his father
A concessionaire, he knew when to fight and when to compromise. His Dad was stupid but I think his training as a soldier in China from his late teens allowed him to understand military power and how it’s structure work.
Today, he is the first Congolese President ever to hand over power peacefully.
Kabila is nothing but a Congolese street vender …..Congo with all its mineral wealth is no much better than how kabila found it…….only the rapists of the great wealth of that country can praise kabila because he gave them time and space to rape his country while he fought the opposition..
Kabila is nothing but a Congolese street vender …..Congo with all its mineral wealth is no much better than how kabila found it…….only the ra.pists of the great wealth of that country can praise kabila because he gave them time and space to ra.pe his country while he fought the opposition..
B R Mumba, Jr…daydreaming again there he is commending a son who stuck a knife in his father’s back …when did he handover power peacefully? You call that smart… Do you know how many Congolese have lost their lives and seeking refugee status in other countries? It had to take the Yanks to intervene and threaten travel bans and freezing assets.
What has Lazy Lungu done..this is the fool who was rolling out a red carpet for Kabila..if it was up to him he would still be in power. The only success for Kabila is blocking out Moise Katumbi.
B R Mumba, Jr…daydreaming again there he is commending a son who stuck a knife in his father’s back …when did he handover power peacefully? You call that smart… Do you know how many Congolese have lost their lives and seeking refugee status in other countries? It had to take the Yanks to intervene and threaten travel bans and freezing assets.
What has Lazy Lungu done..this is the fooooool who was rolling out a red carpet for Kabila last year..if it was up to him he would still be in power. The only success for Kabila is blocking out Moise Katumbi.
Yali president Ntewewe must be a Malawian. They are the guy good at A$$-licking & hero-worshiping.
Lungu did nothing to the elections in DRC. It was an just an excuse to fly around. He never organized not even 1 meeting.
You guys know nothing about diplomacy. Lungu doesnt need to be coming out all the time to please you ears on his role in Congo. Lungu was very instrumental in Congo elections. He deserves accolades. The International community are waiting to hear assessment of Zambia and SA
HE HAS GONE TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION.
HE IS SICK.
There’s nothing to be commended for when doing the necessary as chairman of the SADC. In any case, it makes more sense to congratulate someone after their efforts have been fruitful and the current situation shows that things are still not right in the DRC – no democracy yet in a country that does not even qualify to be called a republic. There’s still a lot of work to be done there.
@ Ba Chale, there is always a beginning, humble as it may be. If you consider where DRC is coming from this peaceful transition should be hailed. Those saying Lungu has done nothing, are still living in Dundumwezi hangover.
@Chendabusiku, I think @3 Nine Chale has a point! It is the Catholic and other NGOs (Filimbi,Lucha etc) who did the real job,they have all the time kept Kabila in check to prevent him from modifying the constitution to ensuring he holds elections. In fact after elections, SADC wanted Presidential candidates to sign a declaration of commitment to accept results. The opposition candidates especially Fayulu refused and proposed modifications to ensure the Electoral Commission undertook a commitment too to follow a transparent and legal process. The Commission did not sign so the opposition refused too! So SADC has not really provided the required leadership on this issue, the African Union (AU) was better, they urged the Commission to respect the people’s will. This is arranged victory to…
That’s good YALI, give praise where due
Commended for what, the chap is a moving disaster himself, perpetual loser who has never accomplished any thing apart from the day he stole from a widow, what a moron
1million voters in opposition stronghold did not vote because of ibola. Yet opposition won
In Africa n politics you must win convincingly. Not ati molin picked 2000 ballot papers in a bin
In lundazi 4000 votes were stolen
In kalulushi a driver narrated by pf rigged.
Change must start in lsk and cb. By how come opposition has mps in one region of ZAMBIA
what role did he play that he’s getting the accolades for?
the results are being disputed right now, there’s a general consensus that kabila pretty much engineered whom he wanted to take over.
did you see all the mess leading up to the elections, during and even after the elections? wow!, I know democracy isn’t the same everywhere, but what just happened in zaire isn’t nothing to be proud of. kabila has been postponing the elections for years, he succumbed to pressure and “allowed” elections, but he’s still very much there, this’ just symbolic.
this’ nothing to be proud of, it has all the signs of interference by kabila
it’s a shame how so called presidents behave in sub Saharan Africa… the gabon president has be mia for months now, the general population has no clue…
Lungu’s leadership in Congo and talking to parties can’t be overlooked unless one is bitter like Hakainde
Zambia is a strong regional player. His Excellency has demonstrated his stripes by successful foreign affairs relations in Africa, which has brought good business connections through the region benefitting Zambuans. By improving our options in trade and joint ventures with our neighbours and keeping peace. Being part of the elections monitoring and working to bring peaceful elections is commendable. In particular being on the ground to build relations with the new regime.
As Chair of the SADC organ on Politics, Defence and Security, these elections in DRC have taken place under his watch – and there is a semblance of sanity in elections for the first time in a long time in that country. Whether you like it or not ECL has been Chair of the SADC organ on Politics, Defence and Security during this period and deserves praise.
We can understand. Life is so hard in this country, especially for the youth. Lack of jobs and general hopelessness is making our youths join the long queue of boot likers.
Despite all his faults president lungu can be commended for helping kabila accept elections after a very long time in Congo, be it flawed elections, but a start is better than no start.
We would now ask Mr lungu to get more involved in avoiding a civil war in that country…..
@Spaka,
You deserve to be commended by PF cadres for commending Mr. ECL
Us in UPND, everything associated with Lungu name is evil. Maybe thats where we lose it.
Lister
Not every thing associated with lungu should be seen as evil, we however insist on calling a spade a spade , not a spoon.
The results of DR Congo’s historic presidential elections are being strongly disputed, so what are you praising him for? The Catholic Church, says the results announced does not match election observers tallies.
It’s too early to congratulate ECL now, the mess will show up.
After is it 60 years , at least a semblance of democratic process in DRC ??
After is it 60 years , at least a semblance of democratic process in DRC ??
@ Spaka
What are the benefits of “a semblance of democratic process”?
Grow up man.
Who has benefited from “Semblance” of our own “democratic process”?
Congo has new President. The Catholic are know to support the opposition. You can see even from the so called dialogue in Zambia, the church mother bodies are supporting the opposition because the Catholic want everyone to do so. So to say but my church leaders are always opportunistic. In Congo, Catholic position is not about democracy but who would have placed them in better position to get a part of those mineral resources.
#12.3 Just asking
For cry out loud how do you expect to see decent elections in a country as vast as Congo that has not seen any systematic development nor democracy for the past 60 years ????
Stop day dreaming. Atleast the Congolese have twisted democracy, let’s hope it sticks.
We should comment Edgar Lungu only when he put Zambia back in working order.You can’t be commended for fixin your neighbors house yet your own is fallin apart with cholera,pit latrines ,high debts ,depreciating kwacha ,floods and divisive politics.
Charity begins at home.
Zambia remains a country with a rule of law, working order except the bitterness of HH for many of his losses. HH blames Lungu for his 5 time loss of elections instead of blaming the people of Zambia who vote against him. In 2021, HH is waiting to cause chaos but no one will allow him or his cadres.
I am not here to read what somebody did or did not do, but to announce our presence; “The Comment Readers Association of Zambia – TCRAZ”. We don’t read the article but comments only. Please be mindful of what you post. Do not post long comments because other bloggers would want their comment read as well.
People forget easily.
Good Yali Is remindin zambians and commending president Lungu for a job well done.
Just a two went to Lubumbashi to meet with Kabila people were condemning him. What do you think he went to do in Lubumbashi?
Give praise were it is due
President diserves commendation
The church in DRC needed a leader in the region who would help them put pressure on Kabila.
Who did the DRC confer with – ECL
When Lungu was moving from Lubumbashi, to Luanda, Kigali, Kampala, Pretoria…..Kinshasa…..what were you people. No he is wasting taxpayers money.
Now that we have good elections yyou saying he did not do anything. You hypocrites
Let’s acknowledged if things had gone extremely wrong in Congo, Zambia normally bears the burden and Lungu knew this. He sought peaceful elections and was always monitoring scenarios in Congo. Everyone is waiting for his report. Don’t be bitter my fellow UPND. Give credit where its due. Lungu did his part
Kabila spent two days in Zambia……you think he came to play here.
Meleishaba utuntu….Congrats Ntewewe for commending the president
Chair of SADC…….politics, defence security
Haluza Hagain
Chikonko mwikate ECL 2021
2022 Chair African Union
UPND has failed to kill YALI…….I love these boys Mwanza and Nthewewe…….very consistent boys…the only CSO which can stand up for the truth…
HH can do anything they are not moved…..
That’s courage…keep it up boys
Kagame did not do anything…. Magufuli was just in his home country.
ECL the African Statesman did. America should recognize his efforts
But also Malanji played a role. A good foreign affairs minister.
Not ka Kalaba. Just amassing wealth when he was foreign affairs minister. Bushiri lies to him that he can be president starts insult lungu.
Kalaba wamona abanobe balebomba
It is the Catholic and other NGOs (Filimbi,Lucha etc) who did the real job,they have all the time kept Kabila in check to prevent him from modifying the constitution to ensuring he holds elections. In fact after elections, SADC under Malanji wanted Presidential candidates to sign a declaration of commitment to accept results. The opposition candidates especially Fayulu refused and proposed modifications to ensure the Electoral Commission undertook a commitment too to follow a transparent and legal process. The Commission did not sign so the opposition refused too! So SADC has not really provided the required leadership on this issue, the African Union (AU) was better, they urged the Commission to respect the people’s will. This is arranged victory to save Kabila’s skin
HH thinks can stop free thinking – freemason iwe. YALI temunobe you shall see when they start to decampaign you. You started a very wrong battle……these youths ate a serious problem.
These are boys who will finish HH.
Lungu congrats our humble leader we love you!
UPND cadres would have waited for chaotic scenes in Congo for them to point a finger at ECL failing in Congo. Now that all is well, you want to underplay his role in DRC.
SADC leaders did not do enough. They should have strongly persuaded Kabila to allow Moses Katumbi and Pierre Biemba to contest the elections
On international diplomacy, Lungu deserves credit especially on handling Congo elections. FTJ as mediator was interested in Katumbi because of the business deals he was cutting but Lungu was interested in letting the people of Congo decide for themselves and imposing charlatans on Congolese. We proud of your role Sir. A messiah will never be appreciated in his home city. Thank u for doing it for Congo and YALI is right
@28 Leave FTJ out of this, in fact FTJ handled a VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION that involved other Governments fighting inside there!! At that time Katumbi was still in Zambia!! FTJ’s works paved way for the Suncity Agreement that ended the war and provided the DRC with some stability!! FTJ is loathed but we need to see some of his achievements!!
HH’s bootlickers would have loved total chaos in DRC so that the can hit back on ECL. But now that there is currently no such chaos they are still hoping for it to come. Remember they thrive on chaos.
Look for a different NGO name mwefikote imwe. Ati young leaders??
Mwaliba dull ba mudula ba UPND ayi. You can’t distinguish between youth leaders and young leaders. Even Hakainde Haluza is also a young leader.
Lungu is a president who came to power through trickery and thievery. He now presides over the most corrupt government machinery. He will a pathetic legacy that impoverished his citizens and consigned his country into decades of debt for generations to come. An apology of a leader.