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Young Africans coach George “Chicken” Lwandamina says he expects Zanaco to go far in the 2017 CAF Champions League after eliminating his side at the first round stage.
Zanaco on Saturday drew goalless with George Lwandamina’s Young Africans at Heroes Stadium in Lusaka in the return leg of the first round to reach the group stage via a 1-1 aggregate score-line thanks
to away goals rule.
The two teams settled for a 1-1 stalemate in the first leg tie played in Tanzania a week earlier.
“They have a chance to reach the semifinals and they have a team,” Lwandamina said.
“One good side of Zanaco is that they play progressive football. They do not retreat,” he said.
2016 FAZ Super Division Champions Zanaco have relegated Lwandamina’s Young Africans to the pre-group stage of the Confederation Cup.
“We have a team to compete in the Confederation Cup. Despite going out of the Champions League we have a good team. It is unfortunate we have bowed out,” Lwandamina said.
Both the 2017 Champions League and Confederation Cup group stages has been expanded 16 teams of four groups and will include two more knockout stages before the final.
The top two finishers from each group will advance to the knockout stage for a place in the quarterfinals that have been added to the previously straight semifinal qualification when it was an eight-team
group stage format.
Murdered ZAF Officer
The death of a 34-year-old Zambia Air Force Flight Sergeant inside a police cell at Woodlands Police Station has left the Zambia Police Service panicking as it desperately tries to cover up the murder.
On Saturday night, Flight Sergeant Mark Nchimunya Choongwa was brutally beaten up by police officers at Woodlands Police after he was detained on a traffic offence.
He died shortly after he was thrown in police custody.
Eye witnesses have narrated that Choongwa found himself in an altercation with some officers around Cummings Bar in Nyumba Yamba after his BMW accidentally hit into a police car.
“The ZAF officer who was in civil attire apologised to this plain clothed police officer and he took full responsibility of the accident but the cop phoned his friends from Woodlands Police and started beating up the ZAF guy. They beat him up until he was weak, that is when they threw him in the police cell and the female officer who was by reception ordered the detainees to beat the ZAF guy further,” the eye witness narrated.
“The inmates refused to beat the ZAF officer and told the female officer that the person they have thrown in the cells was already dead.”
Another witnesses said Choongwa even introduced himself as a ZAF officer but that the police officers continued pounding him and accused him of being boastful because he was a ZAF officer.
One of the inmates who was inside the police cells when Choongwa was bundled in however narrated that another police officer who is a Judo trainer who was also detained started beating the ZAF officer who was weak at the time on instruction from the fellow police officers.
Moments later, Choongwa became unconscious and the police rushed him to UTH where he was pronounced dead.
Police quickly falsified the records to show the cause of death as ‘Traffic Accident.’
His wife upon realising that his phone had been switched off started for several hours managed to follow up the issue with Woodlands Police with the help of his friends.
It was at the police station that she was informed that her husband had died in road traffic accident and she went to UTH where she identified the body.
A check at the funeral house at ZAF Twin Palm found a distraught family struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
The widow wept continuously and was uncontrollable while family Spokesman and elder brother to the deceased vowed that the perpetrators of the crime will pay.
He said his late brother was a responsible young man who assumed the role of the bread winner in the family at a young age adding that he believes the deceased was provoked by the police officers.
The BMW which the police indicate was involved in a road accident and caused Choongwa’s death was later driven to Woodlands Police Station and is now parked at the deceased’s former home in ZAF Twin Palm.
And Lusaka Province Police Commissioner Nelson Phiri has confirmed the death of Choongwa but insists that he was beaten by fellow detainees.
Mr Phiri has since announced that police will go ahead and charge the detainees with murder.
He narrated Choongwa turned violent when he was approached by police officers who went to the accident scene.
“The man died on his way to the hospital after having been beaten by fellow inmates in the cells. First of all, he caused an accident, bashed into somebody’s car. So that accident was reported at Nyumba Yanga Police Post and officers went to attend to it,” Mr Phiri narrated.
“But somehow he became violent, such that it had to take a reinforcement from Woodlands Police. He actually assaulted one of the police officers, so he had to be taken to Woodlands police station.”
Asked if the ZAF officer was in a drunken state, Mr. Phiri said he could not confirm that in the absence of a medical report.
“So he was detained for assault on police, now in the cells again he picked up a quarrel with inmates there, who descended on him and beat him up. Others called officers who were on duty. The officers rushed there and saw that he was in bad shape. They tried to rush him to the hospital and on arrival there, he was pronounced dead,” said Mr. Phiri.
Mark Nchimunya Choongwa who ws clobbered to deathZAF Officer Flight sergeant Mark Nchimunya Choongwa who was murdered while detained by Police
HH speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka on Sunday
UPND President Hakainde Hichilema says he will not give up on his presidential petition no matter how many times the courts adjourn the matter.
Mr. Hichilema says he is aware that the recent court adjournments on the right to be heard matter is aimed at frustrating him but that he will not give up.
And Mr Hichilema has attributed his not letting go of the presidential petition and court processes to setting a precedence that Zambia must begin holding free, fair and credible elections.
He however says there is unprecedented interference on the judiciary by the PF charging that even that will not stop him from continuing with the legal fight.
Meanwhile the UPND President has praised his Members of Parliament for boycotting the State of the Nation address by President Edgar Lungu on Friday last week.
Mr. Hichilema says there is no way the UPND MPs would have gone to parliament to listen to what he termed as an “empty” speech by President Lungu coupled with political songs.
And on the Chilanga UPND MP Keith Mukata, the UPND President said Mr Mukata’s actions did not represent the interest of the people who voted for him in Chilanga who are being detained by the PF.
He says Mr Mukata’s action clearly shows that he is only interested in himself and not the people, and the party adding that in due course the nation will be informed of what actions will be taken against him.
Speaking to Journalists in Lusaka this afternoon, Mr Hichilema said there is no way the UPND MPs would join in fostering illegalities by listening to someone whose election is being challenged in the courts of law.
And the UPND President has said that Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini must step aside for someone who is more professional.
Mr Hichilema said the Speaker has failed to show leadership in Parliament especially after allowing PF MPs to sing political songs immediately President Lungu stepped into Parliament.
The UPND President says Speaker Matibini must show cause as to why he should not step aside when he has been supporting PF’s failures both in parliament and across the country.
He added that the speaker of the National Assembly along with President Lungu must apologize for subjecting Zambians to such a lowly national address but also unparliamentarily language used by PF MPs.
Optimistic about the Zambian economy: From left, Stanbic Bank Head of Global Markets, Victor Chileshe explains the fundamentals to media.
Stanbic Bank has projected a stronger and more stable Zambian economy and local currency in 2017.
The bank’s Head of Global Markets, Victor Chileshe, says the current economic trajectory shows that the country is effectively dealing with the economic shocks it suffered for most of 2015 and 2016 from power deficits, low copper prices, weak exchange rates as well as the general elections that caused economic uncertainty.
“The economy is projected to grow by 4.2 percent this year, and key to this is what happens in the mining sector,” said Mr Chileshe.
“We have had more rains and we are likely to have more consistent power supply to the mines. Copper prices are also likely to hold firm. Overall we don’t see the shocks of 2015 and 2016 coming through this year and the extractive industries can now focus on driving their efficiencies and making their operations more robust to be able to survive any price eventualities the London Metal Exchange will bring to them,” he said.
Copper prices have held firmly above US$5,500 per metric tonne after dipping below US$4,500 around June 2016. Mr Chileshe said the bank projected prices to breach US$6,500 later in 2017.
He also said the bank’s view was strengthened by happenings in the global economy, with an expected growth in refined copper production in China, the world’s largest consumer of copper.
Mr Chileshe was speaking to the media at the conclusion of Stanbic’s Mining and Economic Roadshows held this week in North-Western, Copperbelt and Lusaka provinces.
The roadshows were the bank’s medium-term temperature gauge on the mining industry, the country’s largest industry contributing to more than 70 percent of export earnings.
Mr Chileshe said Stanbic Bank also expected the local currency to be fairly stable this year on the back of a stable mining industry.
“We’ll see a bit of depreciation here and there but those will be sideward movements. We don’t see definite up and down movements. This will help businesses plan better,” he said.
Buttressing Mr Chileshe’s sentiments, Stanbic’s Head of Corporate and Investment Banking Helen Lubamba said the Zambian economy had come stronger out of the recent external shocks it suffered.
“We are seeing some green shoots that play key role in informing our optimism for 2017. Copper prices are higher and more stable; the currency has also strengthened and is more stable,” she said.
She said as a result of the stability, inflation, interest rates as well as yields on Government Bonds and Treasury Bills were steadily declining.
“We should all be looking at the positive side of where we are going rather than being dejected by a few signs of negativity,” she said.
Ms Lubamba said for Zambia to leverage its current economic position, it needed to improvement its local manufacturing and rump up its exports to earn more foreign exchange.
FAZ President Andrew kamanga at a media briefing at Football House
PRESS STATEMENT (For Immediate Release) Football House, Lusaka 19thMarch, 2017
On behalf of my executive and the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Zanaco Football Club and Zesco United Football Club on their progress to the next stage of their respective CAF competitions.
Zanaco have done the country proud by making it to the Group Stage of the CAF Champions League after outclassing a very strong Young Africans side of Tanzania through away goals rule after drawing 1-all away and 0-0 at home.
Zesco United continues to shine on the continental stage and qualified to the pre-group stage of the Confederation Cup after defeating Les MessagerNgozi of Burundi 4-2 on aggregate.
It is worth noting that while the nation is still beaming with pride and joy of winning the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Zanaco and Zescohave equally lit-up our spirits through their successful qualification for the next stage of CAF competitions.
Zanaco joins Zesco United in elite company of clubs that have qualified to the group stage of the Champions League in the new format with the latter making it in 2009 and 2016.
We are so far very proud of the way our flag carriers in the continental championships continue to represent us and the country at large. This is another clear testament that Zambian football is on its ascendancy.
Zesco United did make the Champions League semifinals last year and set the bar high. We are glad that the country remains on course to meet those high standards.
We urge management and the technical bench from both teams to continue with the great work they have so far done and remain steadfast.
This qualification is in line with our vision to make Zambia a force again in international football as was the case in the past.
We would also like to urge management of both teams and the technical bench to remain resolute and prepare adequately for their next encounters.
The secret to any team’s success is serious investment in preparations. We are very positive Zanaco and Zesco management will do everything possible to ensure that the boys are ready for their next challenge.
Zesco and Zanaco’s achievements thus far, is an indication of the teams’ resolve to go very far in the continent’s most competitive and prestigious tournaments.
This Zanaco team has the ability to replicate Zesco’s exploits in the CAF Champions League in 2016 where the latter reached the semi-finals of the tournament.
Congratulations once more to both clubs for this great achievement. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
For and on behalf of:
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA
Minister of Finance Felix MutatiMINISTER of Finance Felix Mutati has disclosed that Zambia is ready to access the US$1.3 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
He said Zambia needs half a billion dollars of external borrowing this year to meet the budget requirement.
Mr Mutati said the funds must be injected into the budget so that the economy runs smoothly.
In an interview, Mr Mutati said the economic recovery programme which Zambia has come up with is purely home-grown and IMF will not dictate anything.
He said the IMF is in the country to consult with Government on the stabilisation and growth plan for Zambia.
Mr Mutati said Government has since constructed a three-year economic plan programme aimed at stabilising and growing the economy.
He explained that the role of IMF in the economic recovery programme will be to monitor the implementation of the plan.
He said the IMF will also help open up other financing options such as the World Bank, African Development Bank (ADB) and European Union (EU) which are expected to give Zambia grants and highly concessional loans.
Mr Mutati said as part of the economic plan, Government will not tolerate subsidies as can be seen from the recent removal of fuel subsidy.
And Mr Mutati has implored financial institutions in the country to ease requirements for collateral to enhance financial inclusion, reports MIKE MUGALA in Lusaka.
Speaking at the Zambia Institute of Banking and Financial Services (ZIBFS) annual ball on Friday, Mr Mutati said: “I would like all banks across the country to design innovative products for a common man on the street. People in rural areas must also be captured.
“Banks must also enhance capacity in their collateral management. I am asking banks to reduce on the collateral requirements to allow people to have easy access to financial services,” he said.
Mr Mutati urged financial institutions to put in measures that will allow people in the country to borrow at affordable rates.
And ZIBFS president Cephas Chabu has urged financial institutions in the country to be innovative and design suitable and affordable products which will bring about economic empowerment for Zambians.
Mr Chabu said there is need for institutions in the country to work together to transform the banking and financial sector.
Mr Chabu said ZIBFS is well-positioned to provide training which will introduce more innovation in banks.
He said product innovation can only be driven by qualified, trained and skilled manpower.
Slap Dee ,who recently released his highly anticipated album “Black na White 2” , has unveiled the video for the song “Vagwada” which is off the album.
Senior Chief Mwamba of the Bemba people with his subjects
Senior Chief Mwamba of the Bemba people encourage his subjects to cultivate the culture of fisheries and Livestock farming to enhance food security and household income in his Chiefdom .
He said this during the stocking of more than 4000 figerlings in his Chiefdom by Scaling-Up NUTRITION kasama. The programme is targeting pregnant mothers and lactating mothers , with the sole purpose of fighting stunting in children.
During the same function Kasama Livestock Technician, Mwalilino Walinase Ackim argue the farmers in the area to embrace livestock integration ,as livestock production has great potential to contribute to the GDP of our great nation Zambia. Mr Mwalilino also thanked government for the many infrastructure that government is setting up in the district through the Livestock Infrastructure Support Project (LISP).
The stocking of more than 4000 figerlingsThe stocking of more than 4000 figerlings
Let’s begin on the premise that whatever theoretical knowledge we’ve acquired, that affirms the equality of all men, is wrong, fictional and in direct contradiction to the original truth!
It’s almost unobtainable to say “All Men Are Equal” and relax in the same sentence, without naturally having a little hunch in your spirit, which tends to agree otherwise…
Our academic and faith-based curriculums, have ridden us off the map, as we naively continue to cling to the moral belief that all men are equal. Well, we aren’t! (by whatever yardstick).
Interestingly, modern civilization hasn’t made much changes from primordial times, where survival was mainly of the fittest.
In our ‘enviable’ but rather high-speed and competitive 21st century, survival is still of the fittest (maybe not necessarily physical).
The segregative nature of ‘Hierarchy’ and the unequal balance of political/economic power, coupled with the variations in physical and psychological strength, makes total mockery of equality amongst men!There will always be an iron curtain between the tough and the weak, the rulers and the ruled, the masters and the serfs and the men and the women. How you survive, solely depends on you!
We’re resident in a world where great power, dominance and preference, are fastened on the ‘powerful few’, who control the affairs of the others.
Does the law promote equality? Not particularly!
The Rule of Law, which is supposedly created to be supreme over everyone, can be limited, compromised and even made redundant by certain ‘important’ individuals, who are shielded by what is commonly referred to as ‘constitutional immunity.’
As often said, “Strive to be among the powers that be, not against them.”
On the issue of feminism, women are widely believed to be created with a reduced leadership role in their interactions with men.
While I crusade for women’s rights, I believe, women stand a better chance in the pursuit of fair treatment and justice, than they do, seeking equality with men.
The agitation for fair treatment and justice for every individual can be achieved, but equality of humans, can only be a figment of the imagination!
Ruling Patriotic Front (PF) Chembe Member of Parliament Sebastian Kopulande has said Poverty in Zambia has reached emergency proportions and the situation cannot be dealt with using orthodox formulas and approaches, reports Pan African Radio Journalist Hermit Hachilonde.
Speaking during the Lusaka District 413 Charter night for lions club of kapila at Cresta Gold View Hotel on 17th March, 2017, Kopulande expressed regret on high levels of poverty in the country.
He cited the recent Presidential address to parliament where President Edgar Lungu admitted that Poverty levels in Zambia remain unacceptably high, with 54.4% of the people living below the poverty line, nationally.
Kopulande further cited the head of state where he said the situation in rural areas is even worse at 76.6 %, affirming that the gap between the rich and the poor remains extremely high in Zambia.
The Chembe law maker has since stressed the need for the immediate intervention to fight poverty and deprivation in the communities which has become endemic in the country as opposed to merely talking about it as the President stated in parliament.
Kopulande implored the church, politicians, business persons and every well-meaning Zambian to take action because the current situation calls for unity and combined efforts with a new creativity in addressing the issue at hand especially that the President in parliament was honest and candid enough to admit that the current situation concerning poverty in Zambia need concerted efforts.
“The poverty situation in our country has reached emergency proportions and cannot be dealt with using conventional formulas and approaches”
“Yes, we can talk about it, but more importantly, as the President stressed, let us do something about it”
“More than ever before, the situation calls for unity and combined effort with a new creativity in addressing the issue” Kopulande said
UPND MP’s seats unoccupied in Parliament this morning
By Sunday Chanda
The decision by UPND to instruct its Members of Parliament to boycott President Lungu’s address to the nation yesterday in Parliament was hypocritical and exposed the immaturity deeply embedded in the Opposition Party.
This is the second time they are acting that way. They were censured for their first boycott by the Speaker as first offenders but it seems their political leaders are hellbent on this ruinous strategy.
It is unacceptable that UPND MPs have allowed themselves to be controlled like zombies even when they know too well that they represent constituencies in dire need of development. It is hypocritical for these MPs to claim tgey do not recognise the Republican President and yet they swore an Oath as MP to the same President they claim not to recognise. In our Constitution the President officially opens Parliament for it to function and without him Parliament cannot open. Its because President Lungu opened Parliament that all MPs (including UPND MPs), the Speaker and his deputies are in Parliament transacting the business of the House.
UPND must desire to grow their politics by learning from the USA. In the US Congress, despite huge differences and alleged election hacking, opposition Democratic party Senators and Congressmen did NOT boycott President’s Trump’s State of the Nation Address in Congress last week. That’s being principled and mature!
I wish to challenge the UPND to do the following if they refuse to recognize the President is to:
1. RESIGN on principle en masse from parliament and wait for 2021 elections
2. BOYCOTT all sittings of parliament pending resolution of their petition in court
3. STOP asking Her Honour the Vice President Mrs. Inonge Mutukwa Wina questions in Parliament because she was elected on the same ticket as President Edgar Lungu.
Further, Zambians who elected President Lungu and his running mate should ask Her Honour the Vice President Mrs Wina must refuse to take questions from the UPND because clearly they do not recognise her and the President.
Since they are unlikely to do the above, and UPND MPs being second offenders, the Speaker and the Parliamentary Committee on Privileges should review this issue critically and consider what disciplinary measures to take in line with the rules of the House!
These MPs cannot even claim that they succumbed to their Party’s intimidation because they know too well that the law is on their side.
Article 60 (2) (b) of the Constitution provides that:
“A political party shall not—
(b) engage in or encourage violence or intimidate its members, supporters, opponents or other persons.”
That notice by UPND to its MPs had a penal notice that whoever disregarded the directive would be disciplined. Clearly that amounted to intimidation on the side of the Party which the MPs should have disregarded. On this score I commend Hon Keith Mukata for disregarding that unconstitutional and childish directive. Its unacceptable for elected adults to be intimidated in the manner their leader Hakainde Hichilema does it.
If the UPND wishes to live up to its threats and disciplines Hon Mukata, he can challenge such action by the party as being unconstitutional. That is to say it violates Article 60 (2) (b) above.
Even if the Party was to even go the extent of expelling such a member, the Constitution would still offer the victimized MP protection.
Article 72 (2) (e) says:
“The office of Member of Parliament becomes vacant if the member—
(e) is expelled from the political party which sponsored the member for election to the National Assembly.
And in terms of Article 72 (5):
“Where a Member of Parliament is expelled as provided in clause (2) (e), the member shall not lose the seat until the expulsion is confirmed by a court, except that where the member does not challenge the expulsion in court and the period prescribed for challenge lapses, the member shall vacate the seat in the National Assembly.”
Article 72 (6):
“Where a court determines that an expulsion of a member, as provided in clause (2) (e), was not justified, there shall be no byelection for that seat and the member shall opt to— (a) remain a member of the political party and retain the seat; or (b) resign from the political party and retain the seat as an independent member.”
Since the expulsion imagined above would have arisen from an unconstitutional so-called discipline of its members, the same cannot be found justifiable by the courts and the courts will seek to uphold the expelled member’s rights.
In short, more UPND MPs could have disregarded that unconstitutional directive if they so wished and UPND would not have done anything meaningful to them.
A soccer fan holds a bottle of Mosi lagerMinister of Health Chitalu Chilufya says his ministry will work with the civil society and other stakeholders to come up with an alcohol policy aim at regulating its abuse.
Dr. Chilufya says President Edgar Lungu’s speech to parliament that strongly condemned alcohol abuse is timely as reports indicate that rising cases of mental illnesses among youths are due to substance abuse.
Speaking to ZNBC news in an interview, Dr. Chilufya said he will work closely with the ministry of Local Government and ministry of religious affairs and national guidance among others to ensure the policy is firm.
On Friday during his state of the nation address to Parliament, President Lungu directed relevant line government ministries to coordinate and ensure alcohol abuse in the country is brought to a stop.
President Lungu said the rate at which alcohol is being abused among the youth in the country is worrisome and should be addressed immediately.
Mines Minister Christopher YalumaMinister of Mines Christopher Yaluma says President Edgar Lungu’s directive to immediately investigate and stop Foreigners taking over jobs that Zambians can do, is timely.
Mr. Yaluma says his Ministry will now scale up its performance audit in all Mine Companies to ensure their operations are in harmony with Zambian laws.
He says Government is not only promoting equal job opportunities but supporting Zambians to be part owners of the mines.
The Minister has told ZNBC News in an Interview that government is supporting consortiums of Zambians so that they partner with foreigners in owning mining companies.
Mr. Yaluma warned that his Ministry will not hesitate to advocate for deportation of any foreign mine owner who will be found using derogative language on Zambian workers.
On Friday, during State of the nation address to Parliament President Lungu directed the Ministries of Mines and Labour to investigate reports that some foreign mine owners are using derogative language on Zambians and taking over jobs that Zambians can do.
“…time and chance happen to them all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11, AMPC)
Marked Moments
Before the foundation of the world, God laid out a plan for your life. He created you with a purpose, for a purpose, and He created you to be successful! He has marked moments already laid out that are going to come across your path. These moments are not ordinary. They are destiny-altering moments. They are designed to thrust you years ahead.
Ecclesiastes tells us that time and chance come together for every person. That means you will have opportunities to meet the right people, opportunities to advance in your career, and opportunities to fulfill your dreams. God has already prearranged for you times of increase, promotion and blessing.
Today, open your eyes of faith and see the good things God has in store for your future. Thank Him for what He’s doing and what He’s about to do. Thank Him for divine connections and marked moments because He is ready and willing to fulfill every dream and desire He’s placed within your heart!
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for marked moments and divine opportunities in my life. I trust that You are working behind the scenes no matter what the circumstances look like. I choose today to keep my heart and mind focused on Your goodness, knowing that You are a rewarder of those who diligently seek after You in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
The Commonwealth Secretariat has said that Zambia’s August 11, 2016 General Elections were held in a credible manner. This is contained in a letter addressed to President Edgar Lungu, dated March 16, 2017 by the Secretary General of the commonwealth Patricia Scotland.
Ms Scotland said that the elections were conducted in a credible, inclusive and orderly manner. Ms. Scotland has since assured President Lungu of her organization’s continued support to the country.
And Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba has dismissed as false insinuations that Southern African Development Community (SADC) had summoned President Edgar Lungu to explain himself over the elections which were conducted.
Mr Kalaba said that Zambia remains a credible state in good governance and the country seen massive investments as a result of the international community accepting president Lungu.
Mr Kalaba said that this was evidenced by the number of presidents who will be coming into the country for state visits. Mr Kalaba said the prime minister Ethiopia will visit Zambia on 29 march, 2017 for a state visit, to be followed by another state visit by the Togolese president and a week later another visit by the president of Madagascar.
Mr. Kalaba also announced that king Mswati has also invited president Lungu for a state visit later this year.
He was speaking in an interview with Zambian journalists in Swaziland at a one day SADC summit which has since closed.
Foreign Minister Mr Harry Kalaba with Congo DR Vice Prime Minister and Foreign affairs She okitundu Leonard at Royal Swazi Spa Hotel in Swaziland after talks on Friday – Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza/State house.
Meanwhile, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Prime Minister Leonard She Okhundu said that his country respects Zambia for the peace it has continued to enjoy over the years and has asked for support to resolve that country’s political impasse. Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Harry Kalaba, has said that nothing can come between the good relationship between Zambia and DRC.
The two ministers were speaking in an interview after they held a bilateral meeting at Royal Swazi Hotel on the side-lines of the on-going Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers and extraordinary summit.
Mr Okhundu said the two countries share not only a border but same views on a number of platforms as well.
“Zambia and DRC are in good books and there is currently no spat going on between us,” he said.
He said they discussed a number of issues during the meeting, including how to grow the two countries’ economies and projects, which the two countries wanted to jointly undertake.
Mr Okhundu is hopeful that the two countries will continue having regular meetings and consultations to keep the tight relationship.
He said the two ministers also arranged to hold a joint meeting with Angola to discuss bilateral and multilateral issues.
Meanwhile, Mr Kalaba hopes his meeting with his Congolese counterpart will strengthen the relationship between the two countries further.
“Zambia and DRC are one and our people share the same values and we are honoured that we have continued to co-operate at both bilateral and multilateral levels,” he said.
Mr Kalaba thanked the DRC for supporting Zambia’s Albert Muchanga in elections at the African Union elections recently.
Mr Kalaba said President Lungu and his DRC counterpart, Joseph Kabila, will meet soon to discuss a number of issues affecting the two countries.
Last week, the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo protested over the presence of former Katanga Governor Moise Katumbi at the under-20 AFCON semi-finals between Zambia and South Africa at Heroes Stadium.
In a statement addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Zambia, the Congolese Embassy in Zambia stated that it was not right for the Zambian government to grant Mr. Katumbi an entry Visa into Zambia because he was facing charges before judicial authorities in his country.
