President Hakainde Hichilema held a meeting with His Royal Highness Chief Chisunka of the Ushi people of Luapula Province, who also serves as the Chairperson of the House of Chiefs and the Luapula Council of Chiefs. In addition to these roles, Chief Chisunka leads the Ushi Chiefs of Mansa District.

Their discussions revolved around various critical topics, including Agriculture and Food Security, Constituency Development Fund, and Road Infrastructure Development in Luapula Province. The leaders also delved into the merits of free education and emphasized the necessity of collaboration between the House of Chiefs and the Ministries of Local Government and Justice. This collaboration is seen as vital in addressing issues related to decentralization and succession disputes.

Both President Hichilema and Chief Chisunka reiterated the view that Government and Traditional leadership serve the same people who require development. They emphasized that their efforts were not in competition but rather complementary.

In particular, President Hichilema pledged to rectify land transactions where large tracts of land were illegally awarded to individuals. In cases where proper procedures were not followed, he expressed his willingness to reverse such transactions to protect the interests of the locals.

Additionally, President Hichilema announced the expedited process of legalizing the mining of Sugilite in Luapula Province. He emphasized the issuance of mining licenses to communities and encouraged partnerships between locals living in areas where Sugilite is mined and those with capital. This strategy aims to ensure that communities benefit from the mineral.

Furthermore, President Hichilema disclosed plans for Provinces and Districts to have their own budgets. This measure aims to empower local regions to plan and execute their development projects independently.

Chief Chisunka had raised concerns about people in Luapula Province being incarcerated for illegal Sugilite mining due to a lack of regulations. He appealed to the government to legalize the mining of the mineral and provide licenses to locals.

The Chief also thanked the government for increasing the Constituency Development Funds (CDF), which he believed would lead to the successful implementation of more projects in Chiefdoms. Chief Chisunka assured that Royal Establishments were ready to monitor CDF projects.

He also expressed the need for Parliament to act on motions passed by the House of Chiefs, as these have often gone unaddressed. Chief Chisunka raised concerns about the prolonged disposition of succession cases in Chiefdoms and suggested that the House of Chiefs handle such cases.

In response, President Hichilema committed to facilitating meetings where the House of Chiefs could engage with the National Assembly and the Judiciary on these matters.

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Zambia and its official creditors marks a significant milestone in Zambia’s efforts to address its debt crisis. The Center for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) believes that this agreement will pave the way for increased resources to be allocated to development projects, thus benefiting the nation’s economic growth.

Isaac Mwaipopo, the Executive Director of CTPD, emphasized the positive impact of the MOU on Zambia’s quest to alleviate its debt burden. He noted that this development will enable the government to allocate more resources to areas in need of development. In the past, a substantial portion of the government’s budget was directed toward servicing the national debt annually.

Mwaipopo’s comments come in light of International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva’s praise for Zambia’s agreement with official creditors. Georgieva has described the MOU as great news and extended her congratulations to the Zambian government for reaching this crucial milestone.

Zambia and its official creditors reached an agreement on a comprehensive debt treatment in June 2023. The MOU formalizes this agreement and represents an important step toward ensuring long-term debt sustainability. The co-chairs of Zambia’s Official Creditor Committee are China and France, with South Africa serving as Vice-Chair.

With the signing of the MOU, each official creditor will initiate their internal processes to formalize the agreement. Subsequently, the terms outlined in the MOU will be implemented through bilateral agreements with each member of the Official Creditor Committee.

The Ministry of Finance and National Planning in Zambia is optimistic that the formalization of the Official Creditor Committee agreement will further support the country’s ongoing efforts to secure a comparable agreement with its private creditors, ultimately resolving the debt overhang.

The signing of this MOU is seen as a positive step forward in Zambia’s path toward achieving long-term financial stability and fostering economic development.

Regenerate

President Hakainde Hichilema, along with key officials, officially commissioned the Chibombo Jiangxi Economic Cooperation Zone in Chibombo District, Central Province. The event was held in conjunction with the Zambia-China Jiangxi Investment and Trade Cooperation Promotion Conference, marking another crucial milestone in Zambia’s ongoing partnership with China.

This conference comes just one month after President Hichilema’s successful State Visit to the People’s Republic of China, where both nations entered into several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), strengthening the sisterly relationship between Zambia’s Central Province and China’s Jiangxi Province.

President Hichilema expressed his appreciation for Jiangxi United’s commendable efforts in attracting a diverse range of companies to the newly commissioned facility. Notable enterprises in the zone include medical equipment manufacturers, a steel processing plant, and an electrical insulator factory, among many others.

The President used the occasion to encourage local businesses to actively participate in the opportunities presented by the economic cooperation zone. The Zambian government has introduced various initiatives to facilitate citizens’ access to credit facilities, along with incentives like tax holidays designed to entice local investors.

“Your government is committed to promoting special economic zones and industrial parks, leveraging Zambia’s strategic location to expedite our industrial development and work towards our goal of becoming the regional manufacturing and processing powerhouse,” President Hichilema proclaimed. The Chibombo Jiangxi Economic Cooperation Zone signifies a crucial component in realizing this vision.

The President also underscored the significance of the Road and Belt Initiative, demonstrating the deep-rooted, all-weather relationship that has been cultivated over decades between Zambia and China. This enduring bond, highlighted by today’s event, celebrates the TAZARA spirit, which forms the bedrock of bilateral relations between the two countries.