Friday, March 29, 2024

Zambia Must Protect its Democratic Values: Ambassador Mwamba Urges Ahead of Summit for Democracy

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Zambia is set to co-host the second Summit for Democracy with the United States, Costa Rica, the Netherlands, and South Korea on 29th and 30th March 2023. The virtual summit will attract the participation of over 100 countries, with the involvement of civil society and the private sector.

Ahead of the summit, Former Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba, has expressed his concerns ahead of the upcoming Summit for Democracy that the United States is co-hosting with Costa Rica, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Zambia. The virtual summit will attract the participation of over 100 countries, and Zambia will play host to the event by inviting guests to the hybrid meetings. Civil society and private sector will also have sideline meetings and will discuss a prepared document, “Call to Action, a call to Civil Society and Private Sector to advance Democracy.”

In a recent interview, Amb. Mwamba shared his concerns regarding the USA’s foreign policies, especially President Biden’s perspective on foreign relations, which he believes promotes, among other policies, a push to mainstream and place at the center LGBTQ+ rights in foreign relations and foreign assistance. On 5th February 2021, President Biden signed a foreign policy memo putting the U.S. at the ‘forefront’ of global LGBTQ+ rights. The Memorandum on Advancing the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Persons Around the World directs American agencies operating abroad “to ensure that United States diplomacy and foreign assistance promote and protect the human rights of LGBTQ+ persons.”

Amb. Mwamba expressed concern that as Zambia hosts this Summit and receives the USA Vice President, Kamala Harris, it’s imperative that the country does not compromise its cherished national principles and values. “It’s essential that we maintain our cultural and traditional values as we interact with the international community. We need to make sure that we are not being forced to do things that are against our values,” he said. He has called on Zambians to take an interest in the Summit and ensure that only the good values of the country are promoted and protected.

On the other hand, the Minister of Justice, Mulambo Haimbe, believes that the co-hosting of the second Summit for Democracy, slated for 29th and 30th March 2023, is essential to the development of democracy in Zambia. Mr. Haimbe emphasized that the summit would consolidate the efforts the government is making to ensure that it entrenches the tenets of democracy.

“President Hakainde Hichilema has made great strides in entrenching democratic tenets such as the rule of law and constitutionalism,” he said in a recent interview. Mr. Haimbe revealed that Zambia was selected to co-host the Summit for Democracy based on the good governance that the country has continued to enjoy. “Zambia has been a beacon of democracy, as evidenced by the peaceful transition of power from one ruling political party to a new one after democratic elections,” he said. Zambia has enjoyed peaceful changes of governments over a long period that spans over decades.

“The observance of constitutionalism and the rule of law has significantly contributed to the deepening of the democratic process,” Mr. Haimbe added. “Under the leadership of the new dawn, the entrenching of democratic tenets and the manner we relate as a nation and govern the affairs of the country is gratifying.”

Mr. Haimbe also emphasized that democracy is under threat across the world. “The hosting of the second Summit for Democracy will help to promote and restore the ideals of democracy,” he said. “Many would not have realized that democracy across the world is under threat, and it’s key for Zambia to take up this role because we are leading globally to try to bring back democracy.”

13 COMMENTS

  1. I’m wondering who’s invited to attend and speak at this conference. I expect all political parties in Zambia, local academics will be joined by those coming from outside Zambia. I actually want to attend in my capacity as a citizen who cannot refrain from voting despite numerous disappointments by those I vote for.

  2. well said,zambians must protect the democratic values but they should not forget about the stumping
    out corruption and thevery. To some people, democracy means doing anything including stealing ad all sorts corrupt activities. And when such people are rebuke and to stop ukutumpa, or arrested and prosecuted by us lawyers, they cmplain that their democracy is being abrogated

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  3. well said,zambians must protect the democratic values but they should not forget about the stumping
    out corruption and thevery. To some people, democracy means doing anything including stealing ad all sorts corrupt activities. And when such people are rebuke and told to stop ukutumpa, or arrested and prosecuted by us lawyers, they cmplain that their democracy is being abrogated

  4. My Mother kept a garden, a garden of the heart, She planted all the good things that gave my life it’s start. She turned me to the sunshine and encouraged me to dream, Fostering and nurturing the seeds of self-esteem…

    When the winds and rain came, she protected me enough-But not too much because she knew I’d need to stand up strong and tough one day.

    Her constant good example always taught me right from wrong-Markers for my pathway that will last a lifetime long.
    I am my Mother’s garden.
    I am her legacy-
    Even in her grave, I hope today she feels the love reflected back from me. brethren, make this day COUNT in your mothers’ calendars

    HAPPY mothers ’S DAY to all the women in my life. I love you regina baby

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    • Again Humpty Dumpty UK based Troll is giving himself away..this so called Mother’s day date is celebrated in the UK where as the rest of the world and US have another date…this just goes to show you that this impostor is based in the UK.

  5. The witch hunter Mwamba is witch hunting for gays instead of focusing on opportunities and challenges in the development of democracy in the world.Wasted soul!

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    • What else can he talk about…he is just a sly slippery salesman not even worthy to mention he a diplomat just a cadre in the embassy.

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  6. Huge contradiction by Ambassador because the principles of democracy encourage free expression of all and we cannot use democracy to silence voice we should allow freedom of expression and invest in building a morally upright society that is open to other views and be at peace to disagree on many issues and not allow disagreement of opinion and principle to destroy our unity as a nation and people

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  7. Mwamba was on the aircraft which landed from USA with ba Sata looking poisoned and confused. Mwamba was laughing after disembarking in those photos. Can he explain? Also why use the title Ambassador when one is simply a “has been” through simple circumstance

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  8. Bashi Promise and his team are a disgrace, honestly how do you say that Zambia is a Christian nation yet gays and homosexuality chaps are holding seminars! You can hide from the people of Zambia but not Jehovah God the day He will bring judgement on this country it will be bad.

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