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Zambia on course to implement SDGs-Chiteme.

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Zambia on course to implement SDGs-Chiteme.

Minister of National Development Planning Alexander Chiteme says Zambia has laid a sound foundation for implementation, monitoring and reporting on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Mr. Chiteme informed the Committee on parliamentary and Cabinet Affairs that his Ministry through the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZAMSTATS), developed the national SDGs baseline report, which provides comprehensive assessment of indicators that Zambia is able to report on with the data available from local and international data sources.

In the statement availed to ZANIS in Lusaka today, he explained that in line with the National Planning and Budgeting Policy of 2014 and the National Planning and Budgeting Bill of 2019, the Ministry of National Development Planning has been guiding government Ministries, Provinces and Spending Agencies (MPSAs) on the mainstreaming of SDGs at various levels.

“Government has led Zambia’s efforts in collaboration with the UN country team through the United Nations Sustainable Development Partnership Framework (UNSDPF) 2016-2021, which was jointly signed on 19th November 2015. The partnership framework has been aligned to Zambia’s Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP). All SDGS relevant to the country context were mainstreamed into the 7NDP to the extent of 86 percent. The Ministry, in coordinating the formulation of subsequent national development plans, will ensure that the country continues to mainstream the relevant SDGS,” Mr Chiteme said.

He said the ministry was working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in building the capacity of sub-national 7NDP coordination structures namely the cluster advisory groups, the provincial and district development coordinating committees.

Mr. Chiteme explained that the Government and key stakeholders conducted the Mid-Term Review of the 7NDP and identified implementation challenges, which included among others, delays in the implementation of identified reforms in the 7NDP.

He said the Mid-Term Review provided recommendations and actions to be taken to strengthen and fast-track implementation of national development programmes including SDGS.

“As part of periodic monitoring, the National Development Coordinating Committee (NDCC) meets twice a year to monitor performance of the Plan, identify implementation challenges and their implications, and come up with policy resolutions to address the identified challenges. In addition, clusters report on a quarterly basis to President Edgar Lungu,” he said.

He informed the Committee that the National Planning and Budgeting Bill, once enacted will provide a legal backing for the operationalization of the advisory bodies both at national and sub-national levels.

The Minister explained that Government developed and launched the National Monitoring and Evaluation Policy in 2019, which provides government wide-monitoring and evaluation or management information system principles, procedures, structures and responsibilities that shall be used to effectively conduct national monitoring and evaluation for all development processes.

This was contained in statement availed to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday by Ministry of National Development Planning Spokesperson Chibaula Silwamba.

Barotse Royal Establishment urges people to register

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Barotse Royal Establishment urges people to register

Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) Prime Minister the Ngambela, Manyando Mukela has urged people in Western province to register during the on-going voter registration exercise which was launched yesterday.

And Mr Mukela has disclosed that the Litunga Lubosi Imwiko ll has registered as a voter.

He stated that all eligible citizens should demonstrate their democratic right by registering as voters.

“I want to inform our people that his majesty the Litunga has also registered as a voter, this gives the whole weight of voting as an important exercise because we have seen that our king has done the same,” he said.

“We urge all people in Barotseland to register as voters and join the rest of the people in Zambia so that when time comes in 2021 we can all get to our polling stations and vote,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Mukela has appealed to ECZ to extend the voter registration period to allow for more people to be captured.

And Limulunga District Registration Officer, Namenda Kaonga has applauded the eagerness and interest shown by residents in the area to be part of the voters.

“People have expressed happiness with the quality of the cards and the registration is not tedious even though they did not register online,” he said.

Mr Kaonga said the exercise will be conducted for four weeks in all the 60 registration centres with each centre being allocated seven days.

Shepolopolo Limp Into COSAFA Semifinals

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Shepolopolo will face Botswana in the semifinals of the ongoing COSAFA Women’s Championship on Thursday in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Zambia crawled to the semifinal despite losing to Malawi by 1-0 in their last group match on Monday.

The Barbra Banda captained side reached the last four as the best-placed runner-up.

Botswana reached the semifinal after winning Group C which had Zimbabwe and Tanzania.

Meanwhile, the second semifinal will be between Malawi and hosts South Africa.

Covid-19 Vaccine: Zambia opts for Russian version

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Covid-19 Vaccine: Zambia opts for Russian version

Zambia is eager to get Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine as soon as it hits the market, Zambia’s Ambassador to Russia has revealed.

Mr Shadreck Luwita told Sputnik, adding that health ministers of the two countries were already in talks on the matter.

“The Russian government has already exchanged correspondence with the Zambian government regarding rolling out of this vaccine. We are anxiously following the process of rolling out of the Sputnik V vaccine on the market so that we can access it,” Mr. Luwita said in an interview.

Russia became the first country to register a vaccine against COVID-19.

It started rolling out Sputnik V before the end of the third phase of clinical trials.

Zambia is very interested in the medicine and is waiting for it to go on the international market, the ambassador confirmed to Sputnik.

“The two ministries of health are liaising on this matter,” the diplomat said.

He admitted that it had been difficult to schedule any official visits amid the pandemic.

“That’s why the issue of the vaccine is crucial, as it will unlock everything, which has come to a standstill,” Mr. Luwita said.

Zambia has recorded 16,770 cumulative cases and 349 deaths.

The incidence is 88.9 cases per 100,000 population, according to the World Health Organization’s latest figures.

(ANI/Sputnik)

Zambia ‘doing everything possible’ to avoid default –Finance Minister

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Zambia ‘doing everything possible’ to avoid default –Finance Minister

Zambia is doing everything possible to avoid a sovereign debt default later this week, including sharing information on its Chinese debt with creditors, its Finance Minister told Reuters on Monday.

Zambia, which missed payment of a $42.5 million coupon on one of its Eurobonds last month, has asked creditors to delay interest payments until April, a request that has so far failed to receive support from bondholders.

A 30-day “grace period” on the coupon payment expires on Friday.

“We’ll wait and see. We’re doing everything possible,” Finance Minister Bwalya Ng’andu told Reuters by phone.

“The discussions (with bondholders) are on a continuous basis.”

When asked whether Zambia had the resources to pay the coupon within the grace period, he said the southern African copper producer had committed to treating all its creditors the same.

Eurobond holders have cited Zambia’s lack of progress in talks with the International Monetary Fund and poor transparency regarding its borrowing from China as obstacles to them agreeing to its request to suspend debt payments.

Dr Ng’andu, however, said his government had shared requested information with creditors.

“We’ve given all the information that needs to be given concerning the Chinese debt,” he said

President Lungu Meets Mumbwa Chiefs, Promises to improve welfare of chiefs

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President Lungu Meets Mumbwa Chiefs, Promises to improve welfare of chiefs

President Edgar Lungu has promised to uplift the wellbeing of traditional leaders. The President made the assurance after noting the importance of traditional leaders in the governance system.

President Lungu said government is aware of the vital role traditional leaders play in the governance of the country and hence pledged to care for them.

The Head of State further noted that construction of Chief’s palaces is an ongoing programme despite financial challenges

He said that government intends to work with other stakeholders so that palaces are constructed for traditional leaders to live comfortably.

The President was speaking in Mumbwa yesterday afternoon during a meeting with traditional leaders in response to various challenges that were presented before him.

“As government we are responsible for traditional leaders. We know chiefs are useful but they can only be so when they are comfortable,” the President said.

“The construction of palaces, we remain committed to that even though funds are not available. We are working on it and we will approach other stakeholders whom we know are able to work with us,” he said.

The President added that apart from construction of palaces, government is among other things looking into the issue of transport and subsidies for Chiefs.

And President Lungu further hinted that government desires to see that Mumbwa district like any other town receives improved health care services for the people.

And President Lungu noted that the Ministry of health is working hard in ensuring that newly constructed health facilities are equipped with needed machinery, drugs and human resource to provide health services closer to families and only leave referrals to bigger hospitals.

“We want to provide hospitals with new equipment, human resource and everything that is needed. I will call Minister of Health to find out the status for Mumbwa and also on the issue of ambulances for the district for feedback,” he said.

Earlier, Chief Mulendema who represented other traditional leaders, requested the Head of State to look into transport issues for Chiefs and ambulances for Mumbwa District Hospital and health centres.

The traditional leader also among other things requested President Lungu to consider construction of feeder roads, Chief’s palaces and to help with maintaining of discipline among their subjects.

Other traditional leaders present at the meeting were Chief Moono, Chief Shakumbila, Chief Kaindu and Chief Chibiluma.

Work with the Government, Religious Minister tells Chief

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Work with the Government, Religious Minister tells Chief

National Guidance and Religious Affairs Minister Godfridah Sumaili says government will continue to work with the Church and traditional leaders to foster development.

Rev. Sumaili said government appreciates the role of the church and traditional leaders as they provide leadership for the people in their various capacities.

ZANIS reports that Rev. Sumaili said this when she paid a courtesy call on Chieftainess Lesa of the Lamba people in Mpongwe district.

Rev. Sumaili said government is aware of the challenges that people in Mpongwe district are faced with and pledged to address the various challenges.

“We want to commit that we will work hand in hand with you our traditional leaders as we do with the church so that together we can develop our country,” she noted.

“We will continue to improve infrastructure, and provide good health care services as well as providing quality education for our children,” she said.

And Chieftainess Lesa thanked President Edgar Lungu for striving to leave no one behind in the country’s development agenda.

Bottlenecks in Voter Registration due to Government Poor Funding to ECZ

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Bottlenecks in Voter Registration due to Government Poor Funding to ECZ

The commencement of the Mobile Voter Registration exercise by the Electoral Commission of Zambia is an exercise that all electoral players and stakeholders must not only embrace but also take seriously going forward. Primary among the stakeholders that need to attach great significance to this exercise are government and the ECZ itself generally and specifically respectively. These, according to our understanding, as OYV, are the critical duty bearers that have to by all means turn the wheels of equity and equality regarding citizens’ voter registration and exercise of their right to vote and be voted into office at whatever level of their choice.

While we conquer with the Republican Vice President Her Honor Madam Inonge Wina’s appeal to the ECZ to deal with the bottlenecks that have surfaced on the very first day of the Mobile Voter Registration exercise, we note with disappointment that such a call is coming from the second highest office in the nation which office knows too well the merger resources given to the ECZ to undertake this mammoth exercise.

This is nothing but hypocrisy. One of and the most inhibiting factor to efficacy results by the ECZ is the insufficient funding by the Treasury during such an important period. The PF Government and the Vice President in particular must own up and fund the ECZ adequately to attain its target of registering a minimum of 9 million voters.

The deficiencies exposed on the very first day of the Mobile Voter Registration exercise are beyond just teething problems. Most if not all seem schemed by the duty bearers to as much as possible disenfranchise the rights holders.

As OYV, we challenge the Government and the ECZ, that if indeed there is no scheming and collusion between them to disadvantage citizens and disenfranchise some eligible voters, the following shortcomings must be addressed immediately:

  1. Adequate funding must be released immediately to the ECZ – we cannot as a country afford the luxury of wasting huge sums of resources on the campaign for Bill No. 10 that was meant to profit a few persons and also losing moneys to a tune of more than 1.3 billion COVID 19 donations to a few individuals while projects and programmes meant to benefit all citizens like the Mobile Issuance of NRCs and the Mobile Voter Registration are ill financed and schemed to fail;
  2. The ECZ must deploy a minimum of 3 Field Voter Registration Officers at each Registration Centre if at all seriousness is attached to the process but also to attaining the target of 9 million voters by 12th December, 2020;
  3. The cheap material being used to produce the Voters’ Cards be recalled and replaced by better quality material if at all ECZ really means well in terms durability of the card but also if the overhauling of the Voters’ Roll is to make significant sense – otherwise the country risks spending again soon after the 2021 elections on the Registration of Voters; and
  4. The Government and ECZ have no option but to bring sanity to Voter Registration exercise while the citizens especially the those eligible to register as voters must refuse to be subjected to ill treatment by standing long hours on end in unending queues due to the snail’s pace movement of the process and cheap material when the country can afford better except resources are being plundered at our watch.

In conclusion OYV is of the conviction that Zambia has all it takes for citizens to receive better quality services in a more conducive manner and environment, and that this requires the duty bearers are guided by principles and values espoused in our Constitution one hand and demand for equality, transparent and accountability of the service providers by the rights holders (the citizens).

If no one is to be left behind, disadvantaged and disenfranchised come 2021 national elections on 12 August, 2021, the right things must be done now – by avoiding the hypocrisy and addressing the above noted shortcomings among others.

For and on Behalf of Operation Young Vote (OYV)
Guess Nyirenda (Mr.)
Executive Director

President Lungu inspects Mwembeshi Maximum Facility

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President Lungu inspects Mwembeshi Maximum Facility

President Edgar Lungu has cautioned inmates to exhibit good behavior not only when they are in prison but even when they are pardoned under parole or presidential mercy.

President Lungu notes that it is embarrassing that some of those who are pardoned get back to their old ways and commit crimes.

Speaking during his tour of Mwembeshi maximum correctional facility yesterday, the Head of State advised the inmates to have faith that things will one day get better for them.

The President visited Mwembeshi maximum correctional facility so as to get first-hand information on the operations that will allow him to make decisions over the welfare of inmates across the country.

“Things will become better but you should have hope and faith that you’re here not because you are condemned, but to be given a chance to change and one day you will get back your freedom,” he said.

He assured the inmates that they would be rehabilitated and get back their freedom.

“I mean well, please keep the faith,” he said.

President Lungu was impressed with construction of two correctional facilities at Mwembeshi to replace the Lusaka central prison popularly known as “Chimbokaila” and the Lusaka remand prison commonly known as “Kamwala remand prison,” he noted.

President Lungu noted that the two facilities were initiated by the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) government under the Levy Mwanawasa administration.

“We just killed it when we came into government, you know leadership is about building blocks set by your predecessor, the idea to relocate Kamwala and Lusaka is not a PF brainchild. It was initiated by the MMD but for some reason, MMD was scared because people were accusing them of corruption just as they are accusing me but as Minister of Home Affairs, I told President Sata that we are going to relocate Kamwala and Lusaka into a place befitting a correctional facility and it was a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement,” he said.

And Zambia Correctional Service Commissioner General Chileshe Chisela said the two new correction facilities will have spacious dormitories, a chapel and a library.

“The two will be more spacious than the Lusaka central and remand correctional facilities as they will be more spacious. The females and the juveniles will be in their own facilities,” he said.

General Chisela stated that one of the facilities will have a capacity of 1800 bed space while the other will have a bed capacity of 1500.

General Chisela noted that the new facilities will have modern security gadgets.

And when he inspected the Zambia-Egypt joint farm, President Lungu was impressed with the new farming technologies that are being implemented to improve agriculture at the correctional facility.

The Head of state was pleased that the project has seen some of fruits which many said could not be grown locally being cultivated at the farm.

“So on Friday, we are giving more equipment to the correctional services so that they can expand agriculture and contribute more to the grain basket and be able to export. So, we are on course,” he said.

He stated that next week, he will tour Eastern Province to inspect an apple orchard in Chipangali and another farm in Vubwi district.

Zambia-Egypt joint farm Project Manager Professor Reda Abdelaziz noted that Zambia has favorable soils and weather conditions for a number of agriculture products adding that the country has potential to enhance its productivity.

Professor Abdelaziz said the project built a strategy on studies of the challenges that Zambia is facing in improving agriculture production.

“We observed that scarcity of water, energy and the intensive use of chemicals which increase the input cost,” he said.

He stated that the project has seen a reduction in the cost of input as it has reduced the use of chemicals.

Professor Abdelaziz who also led President Lungu on a tour of the farm said the project has introduced the production of fruits such as peach, pears, grapes, mangoes and oranges using new farming technologies

Man found digging out dead baby bodies arrested

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Man found digging out dead baby bodies arrested

Police in Lusaka has opened a docket of a case involving 22 year old male who trespassed at Chingwere Cemetery. Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo said the police received a report on burial sites trespass alleged to have been done by Fiesta Tembo of no fixed abode.

She explained that a Cemetery foreman in Matero Township found one male digging out bodies of babies at 04:30hrs today at Chingwere cemetery.

“Police in Lusaka received a report of Trespass on Burial Sites alleged to have occurred on November 9, 2020 at around 0430 hours at Chingwere Cemetery in Matero in which an Assistant Foreman at the Cemetery aged 56 reported to have found one male person unburying baby graves and removing wrappers in which the bodies were. One baby blanket was spotted in the open,” the statement read in part.

Ms Katongo pointed out that the suspect was found unburying baby graves and removing wrappers in which the bodies were.

She explained that upon being searched, Tembo aged 22 was found with a plastic containing suspected cannabis.

“The suspect was identified as Fiesta Tembo aged 22 of no fixed abode. Upon being searched, the suspect was also found with a plastic containing suspected cannabis. A docket of case has been opened and the suspect will also be handed over to the Drug Enforcement Commission,” she stressed.

She further pointed out that the suspect is reported to be a convict facing a similar offence and serving a suspended two year sentence since August 2020.

Zambians urged to register as Voters as ECZ targets to capture 80% of eligible Voters

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Zambians urged to register as Voters as ECZ targets to capture 80% of eligible Voters

Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ)Vice Chairperson, Emily Sikazwe has called on all eligible voters to register during the on-going voter registration exercise.

Ms Sikazwe said the commission is targeting at least 80 percent of eligible voters to be captured during the exercise that will run from November 9 to December 12, 2020. The ECZ Commissioner said this when she launched the mobile voter registration exercise in Ndola today.

“In 2016, we noticed that Copperbelt did not have the right numbers in terms of voter registration, the numbers were very low. We are hoping that this time Copperbelt province will lead the pack by registering over 80 percent of the eligible voters,” she said.

She urged all eligible voters to ensure that they register during the exercise in order for them to take part in next year’s general elections.

Ms Sikazwe further said eligible voters can register from anywhere and indicate where they want to vote from.

She further urged the media to help disseminate information on the on-going mobile voter registration exercise.

“The time for voter registration is from 07:00hours to 18:00hours and our officers will ensure that all those in the queues are all attended to. All eligible voters should register, because we have new security features on the cards we are issuing,” she said.

She explained that the new security features on the new voter’s cards will deter people from making duplicate voters cards.

Ms Sikazwe further explained that the old voter’s cards will not be used in next year’s elections as the Commission is capturing all the eligible voters during the ongoing mobile voter registration exercise.

And a clergy woman of Mbala district has called on church members to register as voters in the on-going voter registration exercise.

United Church of Zambia (UCZ) Trinity Congregation Reverend, Angela Kalombo says it is important for people to register as voters if they are to take part in next year’s general elections.

Rev Kalombo said this during the farewell church service of student Revered, John Bwalya at Kaluzi UCZ Church in Mbala.

Rev Kalombo who is also Mbala District Voter Education Committee (DVEC) Chairperson said the Electoral Commission of Zambia has indicated that the current voters cards will not be used in next year’s polls hence the need for everyone to acquire the new ones.

“Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is notifying people that the current voters cards will not be used in the 2021 general elections, so it is important for everyone to go and register as voters before it is too late,” she advised.

She indicated that ECZ has since dispatched teams of voter education facilitators to educate people on the voter registration exercise which has kicked off today.

“Voter education facilitators who are front-runners are already on the ground ensuring that people are aware of the voter registration exercise. We want to see people turn up in masses to register as voters so that they can participate in the forthcoming general elections,” Rev Kalombo said.

And the Movement for Voter Sensitization (MVS) has called on Zambians to register as voters in readiness for the 2021 general elections.

MVS Spokesperson, Justine Katongo says Zambians should seize the opportunity and register during the voter registration exercise which has commenced today.

Mr Katongo told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka that parents and guardians should allow all their dependents who are eligible to go and register as voters.

“We want to make this important call to the Church, traditional leaders, Chiefs, Village heads to tell their subjects to go and register as voters and obtain the new voters cards as the old ones will not be used in next year’s elections,” he said.

“I want to also warn political parties that are in the habit of peddling lies about important national events such as this one to immediately stop doing so, as this exercise is meant to benefit all Zambians and it is their right to choose a leader of their choice,” Mr Katongo said.

Mr Katongo further called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to consider creating more centres to reduce the distance that people cover to access the registrations centres.

He has since called on all citizens to start registering as the exercise will only run for 30 days.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has today launched the voter registration exercise which will take place across the country.

Body of Zambian man identified in Tanzania

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Body of Zambian man identified in Tanzania

A Zambian national who was found dead by Police in Tanzania has been identified by his relatives. Muchinga Province Police Commissioner, Joel Njase said the body of Owen Nkupisha was picked up by Tanzanian authorities last week and was waiting for identification by relatives.

He said the body of the deceased has been identified by his cousin Chilufya Banda of Ntindi Village.

“The cousin to the deceased said his relative usually travelled by train to Nakonde and observed that each time, he visited Nakonde he crossed over to Tunduma in Tanzania to drink Kachasu, a local brew,” he said.

The Police Chief further said the relatives to the deceased said their relative usually used to take illicit beer without eating any food which would make him sick.

Mr Njase said after the body was identified by his relatives, the officers conducted a physical inspection and observed that it had no physical injuries but old scars in the neck, chest, left arm and right leg.

“The body of the deceased has been handed over to the Zambia Police who have since handed it over to his relatives and has since been buried,” the Police Chief said.

Last week, a suspected Zambian national was found dead at Chapwa compound along Tunduma Mbeya road in Tanzania on the Zambia-Tanzania border.

Mr Njase said Police received a report from their Tanzanian counterparts that a body of a man suspected to be a Zambian national aged between 30 and 40 was found dead and suspected to have been strangled by unknown people.

He explained that facts on the matter are that on Tuesday morning last week, November 3, marketers who were going to the market for their daily business, found a male person suspected to be a Zambian lying in an unconscious state.

The Police Commissioner added that after the Tanzanian Police visited the scene, they found a motorbike registration number MC 359 AIB red in colour meters away from the body and suspected to be that of the deceased.

He added that after a search on the body was carried out, a national registration card was found bearing the names of the deceased.

The Police Chief said an on-spot examination of the body revealed that the deceased had marks of strangulation.

He said it is suspected that he was attacked from another scene and dumped where the body was found.

Mr Njase said a docket has been opened in Tanzania while Nakonde Police station has opened an inquiry file.

Nkana Start Champions League Campaign Away

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Forest Rangers are the only Zambian side that will start at home in 2020/2021 continental preliminary action.

Continental debutants Forest will host AS Bouenguidi of Gabon whom they will host in their CAF Champions League preliminary stage tie.

Winner has a massive date against five-time Africa champions TP Mazembe in the pre-group stage during the Christmas period.

The winner will be away in that second round tie.

Zambian champions Nkana are on the road to Bantu FC of Lesotho in the first leg.

It will be Nkana’s first continental trip back to Maseru since 2000.

Winner of that fixture will play Akonangui of Equatorial Guinea or Petro Atletico of Angola for a place the group stage.

In the CAF Confederation Cup, Green Eagles mount a third successive attempt group stage qualification attempt with a preliminary date against Musongati of Burundi.

Winner will face UFC Sokode of Togo or Cameroon giants Coton Sport in the second stage.

Napsa Stars make their Confederation Cup debut with a first-ever trip to Comoros by a Zambian club a preliminary tie draw against Ngazi FC.

Waiting for the winner of this COSAFA zone clash will be the tournaments predecessors’ winners DC Modem Pembe of DR Congo who won the 1994 Africa Cup Winners Cup.

The first legs will be played November 27-29 and return leg during the week of December 4-6.

8th Regional Inter-Ministerial Committee on Great Lakes region holds virtual meeting

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8th Regional Inter-Ministerial Committee on Great Lakes region holds virtual meeting

The Regional Inter-Ministerial Committee of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region has applauded the diplomatic efforts to resolve the border dispute between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The meeting lauded the political will and engagement of Member States, which has culminated into various positive developments aimed at realizing sustainable lasting peace and socio-economic development.

The Ministers also endorsed the candidature of Angola for the position of Executive Secretary of the ICGLR, subject to appointment by the Heads of State in the region during the forthcoming 8th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Great Lakes Region scheduled for November 20, 2020.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Joseph Malanji, participated in the 8th Session of the Regional Inter-Ministerial Committee of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) aimed at reviewing the security and political situation in the region.

The virtual meeting which was held on November 7, 2020, was hosted by the Republic of Congo and attended by Ministers of Foreign Affairs/External Relations and representatives of Governments of Member States from Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, South Sudan, and Tanzania.

The committee received reports on the security, political and health situation in the Great Lakes Region and deliberated on the status of the annual contributions by the Member States.

The committee commended the Republic of Burundi and the Tanzania for the peaceful and successful political transition in their respective countries.

The meeting also commended the Burundi and Rwanda on the recent meetings between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs aimed at normalizing the bilateral relations between the two countries.

It further welcomed the formation and operationalization of the Government of National Unity in South Sudan and hailed the signing of a peace deal on 3rd October, 2020 between the Sudan Government and the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) to end a 17-year conflict.

The committee saluted the decision of the Council of the International Organisation of Francophonie to lift sanctions on Burundi and further urged the European Union to consider progress in the political situation in Burundi and consider lifting sanctions.

The ministers further welcomed the on-going procedures declared by United States government to delist Sudan from the countries sponsoring terrorism.

The Ministers’ meeting was held in preparation for the Ordinary Summit.

The virtual Summit will be convened under the theme “Fostering the Implementation of the ICGLR Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region by intensifying Regional Economic Cooperation and Development.

This is contained in a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Public Relations Officer, Chansa Kabwela in Lusaka today.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Nkandu Luo empowers 80 women clubs empowered

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Fisheries and Livestock Minister Nkandu Luo empowers 80 women clubs empowered

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Nkandu Luo has handed over three thousand improved village chickens and 320 goats to 80 women groups in Chadiza district of the Eastern province.

Prof Luo handed over the chickens and goats to the women at Tadyela Primary School in Chadiza yesterday.

Prof Luo disclosed that the livestock is an exercise to stock and restock animals under the Enhanced Smallholder Livestock Investment Program (E-SLIP) which is meant to improve the incomes and nutrition status of poor households countrywide.

“Government has put livestock development on top of its agenda as it is critical in creating wealth and alleviating the sufferings of rural communities countrywide, livestock are a multiplying resource which can help to grow the country’s economy if well harnessed,” she said.

Professor Luo called on the beneficiaries to share the livestock once it multiplies as it has been given as a pass- on- the- gift arrangement.

Prof Luo also challenged youths to get involved in cooperatives and avoid vices that may disturb their lives.

“I don’t want pregnancies in this programme, don’t create marriages but work together by seeing girls as your sisters and not girl friends,” she said.

Meanwhile Chadiza Member of Parliament Salatiel Tembo thanked President Edgar Lungu for considering Chadiza women clubs on the E-SLIP program.

Mr Tembo said the handover of the three thousand chickens and 320 goats to the clubs is a testimony of government’s pro poor policies.

He is optimistic that the empowerment program will help people in Chadiza especially the women folk to fight off poverty.

And Tigwilane Manja women’s club chairperson Dorika Phiri said the cooperatives in Chadiza are grateful to government for recognizing them as beneficiaries of livestock.

“These chickens can help us to make money through meat and egg sales and so I want my fellow beneficiaries to really take care of the chickens so that together we can realize the benefits,” she said.

E-SLIP is a seven year government program which is being implemented with support from OPEC and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).The project’s small livestock sub-component is targeting to benefit 28,000 poor small households of which 50 percent should be women, 30 percent rural youths and 20 percent men.

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