President Levy Mwanawasa has sworn in two ambassadors designates to Angola and Ethiopia and warned them against grumbling when they are recalled form the foreign mission.
Those sworn in were Marina Nsingo, who is former Minister of Works and Supply, as Ambassador Designate to Angola, Patrick Sinyinza as Ambassador Designate to Ethiopia and the African Union (AU) and Gibby Nawa as Commissioner of Prisons.
Ambassador Sinyinza was until today, Director for Political Affairs at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while Mr. Nawa was one of the senior officials in the Prisons Service.
Mr. Mwanawasa told the two ambassadors to truly represent Zambia in the foreign missions. He told Mrs. Nsingo to promote trade and bilateral understanding between Zambia and Angola, a country he said was just recovering from the devastation of a long civil war.
The President said Angola was one of lucrative markets where Zambia could sell her agriculture produce at an attractive price.
He further urged Mrs. Nsingo to liaise with the Ministry of Transport and Communications on possibilities of opening a railway line between the two countries, noting that this would be a cheaper mode of transport as compared to air transport.
Mr. Mwanawasa directed Mr. Sinyinza to use his stay at the AU to advise Zambia on the best ways to resolve African conflicts and to come up with a one continental government.
 “There are many challenges that face us as Africa, there are still wars and conflicts dotted around the continent, convey to Zambia what advice can help us resolve those problems,” he said.
He said it was important that Zambia learnt of the possibility of having a one African government in the midst of squabbles on where the President should come from.
“Convince your colleagues on the options that will be useful for Africa,” the President advised. Meanwhile, the president reminded ambassadors that their appointments to serve in the foreign mission were not permanent.
“I want to be understood from the beginning that you are not going there until you death. When I recall you, do not hate me and the government,” he said.
Mr. Mwanawasa said some former ambassadors have shown traits of hostility when they were recalled from the foreign missions.
He said their appointments were contractual and based on performance during their service. And speaking in an interview with ZANIS, Mrs. Nsingo said she was humbled with her new job. “I am very pleased.
This is a position of honour and trust. I am delighted and I will do my best,” she said.
