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Voters line up to cast their ballot at Chilombo Primary School in Shikombwe Ward in Mangango Parliamentary by-elections.
Voting in the Mangango Parliamentary by-elections today closed peacefully with the counting of ballots starting almost immediately to find the new Member of Parliament for the rural constituency.
The by-election which was being contested by six candidates from different political parties was generally peaceful despite clashes that had preceded it over the weekend.
However, the voting started on slow note with most polling stations visited in three wards recording as little as 20 voters by 08:00 hour.
By midday, most of the centres were yet to record a 50 per cent voter turnout although Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) said numbers had been average.
Chilombo polling station in Shikomwe Ward which has the highest number of registered voters in the constituency had recorded just 300 by 09:30 hours out of the 1,305 registered.
At Namaloba polling centre in the same ward, only 21 had cast their ballots by 07:30 hours out of 550 registered voters while the situation was hardly different from Namimbwe were only 26 out 372 had voted.
In Mangango Ward, 632 out of the registered 3,408 had cast their ballots by 13:30 hours while at Namalazi in the same ward, 243 had voted by midday.
Security was tight with every polling centre manned by uniformed officers while representatives from participating political party as well as observers were present at every centre.
Apart from the seemingly voter apathy, cadres from the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) clashed with their counterpart from the United Party for National Development (UPND) in Mwanambuyu, one of the remotest wards in the constituency.
Western Province Police Chief Lombe Kamukoshi said the cadres clashed at the same place were UPND Katuba MP allegedly assaulted six PF cadres over week resulting into his arrest.
“But that was an isolated case and as I am talking to you, the situation is under control because our officer are on the ground in Mwanambuyu,” said Ms Kamukoshi in an interview.
Ms Kamukoshi said the situation had been quite during the voting period and expressed confidence that the electorates had cast their ballots without any intimidation.
Meanwhile, FODEP executive director Macdonald Chipenzi who is monitoring the polls has described the voting process as peaceful with voters casting their ballot without interference.
“So far the process has been peaceful, there is no intimidation or confrontation and I am pleased to note that all major political parties have their representative at every polling centre,” Mr Chipenzi said.
Mangango Constituency has 17,157 registered voters in its seven wards, but poor road network to remotest areas may prolong the official announcement of the results.
The ruling PF fielded Lyambai Lingweshi while the UPND floated Godwin Putu with the MMD hoping to retain the seat through Charles Mwenzela. There was also ADD’s Mweene Naluwa, while UNIP had Janet Chingumbe, with the Fourth Revolution Party floating Mukumbuta Kabuyana.
87-yer old Mubotela Siseko was the first to cast the ballot at Kanyimba polling centre in Shikombwe ward in Mangango parliamnetry by-elections87-yer old Mubotela Siseko was the first to cast the ballot at Kanyimba polling centre in Shikombwe ward in Mangango parliamnetry by-elections
MMD National Secretary Muhabi Lungu has dismissed as mere politicking claims by former party Spokesperson Dora Siliya that the former ruling party is dead.
Mr. Lungu says it is unreasonable for anyone to suggest that the MMD is on the death bed when the party has seats in Parliament and has been participating in by-elections.
Mr. Lungu has told Qfm News that it is such insinuations that he has now become tired of responding to as party Chief Executive Officer because they are baseless claims.
He adds that in view of the position Ms. Siliya has taken against the party, the MMD leadership will leave it up to the people of Petauke Central to decide who should be their candidate in the pending by-election in constituency.
Mr Lungu has also disclosed that the MMD has information that Ms. Siliya is allegedly among some people who want to form a breakaway political party.
He however says the MMD is not bothered by such a rumor.
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group has announced an advisory services agreement, valued at $1 million, with Airtel Zambia to increase access to mobile financial services in the Zambian market in order to strengthen financial inclusion.
In Zambia, two-thirds of the adult population is excluded from formal financial services. A majority of the population has no choice but to rely on cash and informal services for transactions, savings and credit, at high risk and cost.
The overall aim of the three-year project is to assist Airtel Money Zambia in building a sustainable mobile money operation. IFC will provide market research and advisory services on agent network management and business strategy development.
The project is part of the Partnership for Financial Inclusion, a $37.4 million joint initiative of IFC and The MasterCard Foundation to expand microfinance and advance mobile financial services in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Brenda Thole, Airtel Money Director Zambia, said, “A key focus area for Airtel Money is to support the government’s mandate to enhance financial inclusion and to reach out to the unbanked population who may still have fears of mainstream banking or believe the services are too costly. This partnership with IFC and The MasterCard Foundation will boost our drive of customer education and help us build strong agent relationships, which are key to the success of this product.”
The implementation of mobile financial services has shown to be a successful way of increasing access to finance in several African markets. Kenya’s M-PESA is one of the most well-known mobile money operators in the world and is used by over 70 percent of Kenyan adults. In Tanzania, FinScope data show that the use of mobile money services has helped increase the rate of financial inclusion from 15.8 percent to 57.4 percent in just four years.
Greta Bull, IFC program manager for the Partnership for Financial inclusion, said, “Mobile phone usage is very high in Zambia, making it an ideal market in which to leverage technology to reach those who have previously been excluded from formal financial services. Financial inclusion is an important tool in promoting inclusive economic growth that can have significant impact on livelihoods.”
Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister, Forrie Tembo
Government says it is not impressed in the manner civic authorities are administering land matters in the country.
Local government and housing deputy minister, Forrie Tembo says government was concerned with the manner most councils in the country have permitted illegal land allocations in their districts.
Mr. Tembo said this has resulted into the mushrooming of an un-authorized structures, a development he said could be avoided if civic authorities operated more professionally regarding land administration and acquisition in the country.
ZANIS reports that the Deputy minister said this during a meeting he held with council workers together with Kalomo district commissioner, Lucia Mwiinde in the district, today.
This was after he , Mr, Tembo, toured several illegal residential structures that have been built on State land in Bwacha and Boma areas.
“I am quite disappointed with what am seeing on the ground, we have encouraged more problems for ourselves. You, as councils should take time to sensitise the community on land acquisition procedures other than make your districts be un-governable,” Tembo lamented.
And Mr. Tembo says resident development committees (RDC) were no longer recognized in the country.
He explained that the RDCs were illegal and had no powers to apportion pieces of land in part of the country.
The deputy minister warned that saying any person found wanting posing as a RDC officer will face the wrath of the law.
He was responding to remarks by council secretary, Forster Nasilele who said the RDCs in the area have continued to administer allocation of plots in the district.
The minister accompanied by his physical planning and housing principal planner for development control, Shadrecrick Kafwambile is on a tour of Southern province on an inspection of illegal land allocations and acquisition and monitor the administration of CDF.
Meanwhile, government is considering re-introducing the grain levy.
Mr. Tembo said at the same meeting that it was unfortunate that some councils had misinterpreted the grain levy by even targeting the farming communities when actually it was meant for the buyers.
He noted that in the absence of a broad tax revenue base mostly from the evaluation roll and without grants, councils would not adequately provide the much needed services which communities expect from them.
Former Mozambique President Joaquim Alberto Chissano
Former Mozambican President Joachim Chisano has congratulated Zambia for attaining 50 years of independence.
Mr Chisano says he hopes that the 50 years of Zambia’s independence will give the people and leadership of the country more wisdom and unity for continued development.
The former Mozambican President said this to journalists upon arrival in the country at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport aboard a South African Airways plane which touched down at 12:35 hours.
He was met on arrival by Foreign affairs Permanent Secretary George Zulu, his Lusaka Province counterpart Wamuyima Muwana and Chairperson of the Zambia @ 50 Secretariat Mulenga Kapwepwe.
He noted that the relationship between Zambia and the rest of the countries in the sub region was about to be disturbed because of contradictions in leadership.
Mr Chisano however stressed that as Zambia celebrates 50 years of independence, its people should work towards strengthening peace and unity.
He also expressed happiness to note the massive development projects that have taken place in the country which he said has helped transform the country into one of the region’s economic hubs.
Mr Chisano noted that the nation’s agriculture sector in particular has continued to grow despite the mining sector been the mainstay of the country’s economy.
He said Zambia was now a fine example to the rest of the SADC region and the African continent in general that it is possible to achieve
high levels of development.
The President of Mozambique is in the country for a three-day state visit to commemorate Zambia’s Golden Jubilee anniversary which will be held on October 24 this year.
He is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on First Republican President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda and will later in the even attend a dinner to be hosted in his honour.
The former Mozambican Head of State will also hold a lecture on the cooperation between Zambia and Mozambique among many other activities.
On Tuesday 19th August 2008 Zambians received the sad news that their President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa had passed away.
The then Vice-President Rupiah Banda made the following announcement on ZNBC
“Fellow countrymen, with deep sorrow and grief, I would like to inform the people of Zambia that our president Dr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa died this morning at 1030 hours.”
President Mwanawasa suffered a stroke at an African Union summit in Egypt and was then flown to France, where he had remained in hospital.The late President was elected as Zambia’s third republican President in December 2001 under the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) ticket and re-elected in 2006 for the second five year term of office.
Click here to see the pictures of Zambians honoring the Late President Levy Mwanawasa during the funeral procession to Mulungushi.
Mr. Alexander Chikwanda should resign or be fired immediately
The insinuations of double-dealing by the Finance Minister, Hon Alexander Chikwanda are not only disturbing to note but also vexing if true especially that this is the same man that failed the Zambian Economy and the Zambians in the 1970s.
It is very clear and history has it that it was Mr. Alexander Chikwanda who was Minister when the Zambian Economy collapsed in the 70s due to lack of prudent management such as over borrowing and general mismanagement of the economy. Mr. Chikwandawa is among the team that successfully ensured that Zambia became highly indebted.
It took Zambians who were not part to this mess and bad governance to champion the debt cancellation through the Jubilee Debt Cancellation Campaign which succeeded. It is very strange that the President Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata subjected the Country and the Zambians to Mr. Chikwanda for him to preside over our resources once again.
It is unacceptable for Mr. Chikwanda to protect the mines from paying the taxes and other contributions due to the country and assisting them claim Value Added Tax refund from the government when they are reaping where they did not sow because he is protecting his business interests.
Mr. Chikwanda cannot take Zambians for fools. He cannot fatten his businesses at the expense of the majority Zambians whom he is condemning to abject poverty through his uncalled for actions of greed, selfishness and appetite to sustain riches. Mr. Chikwanda’s supplier status to the mines should not impoverish the country. In any case by the fact that he is the Minister of Finance the man should have declared interest and relinquished one of the positions either by declining the Ministerial appointment or cut his business connections with the mines. The acts by Mr. Chikwanda confirms that the crop of leaders of his caliber have no integrity, let alone morals to feel for the country and nationals they are looting from.
OYV is of the considered position that Mr. Alexander Chikwanda, Minister of Finance should either resign or if he cannot, he should then be fired with immediate effect from his portfolio as Minister. Mr. Sata must fire Mr. Chikwanda if he means well to the people of Zambia especially the youth who voted for him en-mass but continue to be subjected to destitution and perpetual poverty by his and other similar actions by the selfish PF leaders.
We the young people shall not condone any mediocrity, corruption, and theft in whatever form it would come.
Mr. Chikwanda must be told that he has had enough of our patience; we shall not rest until and unless he steps down.
File:President Sata addresses a Cabinet meeting 2013
ICHALO BANTU
(The name is translated according to the origin of the Citizen in accordance with the 72 Zambian languages: Icuña Anchu(LUNDA), Ichisi Mbantu (TONGA) Naha Ki Batu (LOZI), Dziko Ni Bantu (NGONI), Insi Awantu (NAMWANGA) Golden Jubilee: dictionary meaning ‘a time for celebration’, biblical meaning ‘a time for healing, liberation from sorrow, release from bondage.
PRESS STATEMENT
Cabinet ministers guilty of illegally running affairs of ministries
Constitution does not allow Cabinet to operate without Executive control: Cabinet is the President
It is clear to the citizens of the country that the President is:-
Not in good health
He is unable to discharge his Presidential duties effectively
That cabinet, both individual and collectively, have continued to run Government ministries and perform Government functions without control, supervision and direction FROM THE PRESIDENT.
The Ministers are therefore in BREACH of the ZAMBIAN CONSTITUTION; it is illegal for Cabinet- Cabinet Ministers and Vice President- to be running the affairs of the country outside the effective control of the President. Cabinet is the President, without the President there is no Cabinet; he is the only official elected and authorized by the People of Zambia to preside over the affairs of Government. He selects Cabinet Ministers to assist him execute these functions. If he is unable to discharge Presidential functions, the Ministers cannot continue performing Ministerial and Government functions; the constitution COMPELS cabinet to constitute a medical board.
The constitution does not give them an option; immediately it is clear the President is failing, Cabinet must take such action as to protect the nation and secure their continued legitimacy to perform state functions.
Failure to take this action expeditiously and in a timely manner is an illegality and is a betrayal of the peoples’ trust; it is a crime against the country and a serious breach of the country’s constitution. When citizens commit crimes against their own country it is TREASON; taking actions or failure to act in a manner that seriously COMPROMISES the country; showing DISLOYALTY to the country. And currently, our Cabinet is individually and severally guilty of treason; as they continue to exercise matters of state, unsupervised.
Constituting a Medical Board
The most ideal situation is for the President to resign; it avoids the scrutiny of a medical board. If the President is unable to or is resistant to the idea, Cabinet, on behalf of the people must follow constitutional procedure and constitute a board; in exercising this option, the President is not a party to this decision and cannot be consulted. The fact that a CONSTITUTIONAL BREACH has been allowed to OBTAIN, means that the President is unable to take this action, and Cabinet has to override the interests of the President for the country and the citizens.
The medical board has to diagnose the health of the President in relation to the pressures of managing state affairs. This is why the responsibility bestowed on the board, borders on treason should there be there be any unprofessional conduct.
Health of the President
The health of the President is a matter of public interest because of the constitutional provisions. And it is not for the public to try and find out the health of the President, it is the administration that has to prove that the President is healthy enough to execute Presidential functions effectively.
As situation stands, there is no evidence to suggest that the President is able to perform these functions effectively.
Acting President
Cabinet must therefore stop performing government functions until such a time it is ascertained that the President is healthy enough to resume state functions or an alternative official is authorized by the constitution to Preside over state affairs; this will avoid Cabinet being individually and collectively being liable for prosecution.
Going forward, Cabinet Ministers must:-
Must stop going to Cabinet offices
Must stop using government facilities
Salaries and other emoluments must cease
To emphasize the danger of constitutional offices going unsupervised for days and weeks on end is that following are some of the SENSITIVE OFFICES become COMPROMISED:-
Director General Intelligence
Army Commander
Air Force Commander
ZNS Commander
Inspector General of Police
ACC Director General
DEC Director General
Interpretation of and protection of the constitution
We can only defend the constitution if we understand it and can interpret it. Therefore, no matter what constitution we write, if we cannot interpret it and defend it then it is not worth the paper it is written on.
The Law regarding absense from duty on medical grounds
The law simply states that if a person is absent from duty on medical grounds for a period exceeding THREE (3) MONTHS than the person can automatically be discharged on medical grounds. The Presidents condition has been kept a secret for more than three (3) months a situation that is in conflict with the constitution. The responsibilities of the office are such that LACK OF ACTIVITY IN THE OFFICE FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME HAS NEGAITIVE RAMIFICATIONS FOR THE COUNTRY. Action must be taken in a timely manner
Long arm of the Law and the Golden Jubilee
This year is the Golden Jubilee. Citizens are looking forward to the end of political trials and persecutions. But for this to happen, political leaders must exhibit high levels of integrity in dealing with public affairs. As the nation transitions to the next 50years (Diamond Jubilee -100years) the politics must change. It time people started doing the right things in public offices.
Forensic Audits
The sensitive nature of the various government department, it may call for forensic audit of the decision taken in the absence of the Executive.
Conclusion
Cabinet implement the WILL of the people as enshrined in the constitution. Until such a time they must stop performing Cabinet functions, which is a pre-requisite for their continuation in office.
The citizens draw their inspiration from the President and cabinet draws its authority from the President
By Brian Chisengalumbwe
Political Analyst and co-ordinator Ichalo Bantu Te Fikulwa(A movement for a new generation of politics
We find the statement attributed to PF Secretary General and Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba, likening UPND President Hakainde Hichilema to a ka Ndanji or young Nyau as not only irresponsible and immature, but highly belittling and an insult to a lot of our people and tribal groupings that practice this tradition practice.
The same people in Western province, Kabimba was insulting as quoted in yesterday’s Post newspaper, our brothers and sisters in North-Western and Eastern provinces all practice this Nyau/Ndanji cultural dance and we wonder how the PF now wants votes from them.
We have very high respect for all Zambian cultural practices and traditions and we believe that a person who is not grounded on culture and tradition is equivalent to a tree without roots, this is Wynter today.
In fact, in UPND, we believe that some of these traditional practices such as Nyau or Ndanji dances should be promoted to the international level as part of tourism instead of denouncing them like Kabimba and his party is doing.
It has now become too common for the PF leadership to always resort to insults bordering on tribal innuendos as they always lack substance on important national matters such as the economy.
People of Zambia are currently going through serious economic hardships due to complete lack of leadership and when senior PF leaders like Kabimba have an opportunity to tell the electorate what they are doing to alleviate their poverty, all they hear are insults.
Since it is now clear PF leaders can no longer offer solutions to our people other than insulting them, perhaps the best they can do is for all of them to just follow their president Michael Sata and go into political hibernation and allow us in UPND to offer the necessary leadership that is missing.
Dr Mumba takes time to rest and chat with local people
Western Province MMD Provincial Chairperson Kameya Katoongo has laughed off assertions that the party did not fund the campaigns in the Tuesday Mangango by-elections.
Speaking in an interview Mr. Katoongo said the story on one of the online publications is a fabrication of lies which the public should ignore with the contempt it deserves.
He explained that the party secretariate in Lusaka supported the candidate and the campaign team from the nomination day with all the logistics hence whoever was giving the information to the named online publication is just bent on destroying the name of the party and that of the president.
He explained that the campaigns were well funded by the party and that if there were any setbacks which he said is expected during the campaigns then it was not as a result of lack of funds.
He said that campaign team had done all the necessary campaigns and that it had reached all the 7 wards which is impossible to do without proper funding as the constituency is vast.
He thanked the party president for helping them campaign saying his presence and logistical support will surly have a positive impact on the undecided electorate.
He also questioned the motive of the online publication for publicizing such a malicious story.
Meanwhile Mr. Katoongo has rated the party’s chances of scooping the by-elections as high.
He said the campaign team had done its home work and that all that is remaining is for the voters to cast their votes wisely and vote for MMD candidate who campaigned with words and ideas not violence.
Mr. Katoongo was reacting to a story in one of the online publications which reported that the former ruling party is broke and that it only used K11000 for the whole campaigns.
President Robert Mugabe during the Lwiindi Kuzyola traditional ceremony in Livingstone
President Robert Mugabe says the decisions made by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government at the just-ended 34th Summit will only be meaningful to the people if they are implemented.
President Mugabe took-over the chairmanship of the 15 member regional grouping yesterday from Malawi President Peter Mutharika during the official opening ceremony of the annual meeting held at the Elephant Hills Resort in Victoria Falls town, Zimbabwe.
The Zambian government was represented at the Summit by Republican Vice President Guy Scott who was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba, his Commerce counterpart Bob Sichinga and Senior Private Secretary Robert Kamalata.
In his closing remarks marking the end of the two-day summit this afternoon, President Mugabe pledged to steer the SADC agenda during his one-year tenure to a higher level so that the regional grouping can effectively achieve the desired implementation plan of its programmes.
The SADC Heads of State and government have had meanwhile reviewed the regional blue-print for economic development, the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) formulated in Maputo-Mozambique in 2012 with a view to prioritizing projects for easy implementation and financing by the member states.
And President Mugabe pledged to take advantage of his chairmanship to represent the interests of the region at various for a so that SADC voice, programmes and projects are ever present.
” This is a task that cannot be accomplished by the Chair alone. I, therefore, will count on your individual and collective support to steer the agenda of SADC in order to achieve effective implementation of our programmes and I have no doubt that together we will succeed”, said President Mugabe.
He said the Heads of State and Government examined in detail during the two-day meeting how the regional could make beneficiation and value addition an integral part of the overall SADC agenda adding that the Leaders also had fruitful discussions on the progress made so far to create a regional development fund to finance SADC programmes .
The Zimbabwean President stressed that an SADC development fund was a necessary mechanism that would enable the grouping to fund and own its programmes in order to reduce what he emphasized was a preponderous dependency on international cooperating partners.
Meanwhile, the SADC Heads of State and Government have signed four legal instruments aimed at further enhancing regional political and economic integration and cooperation among the member states.
The legal instruments during the closing ceremony include the SADC Protocol on the Tribunal, the Protocol on Environmental Management for Sustainable Development, the Protocol on Labour and the Declaration on Regional Infrastructure Development.
South Africa and Namibia have also signed the SADC Protocol on Trade and Services which the other 13 member states had already signed at previous Summits.
The next SADC Heads of State and Government Summit will be held in Bostwana.
Meanwhile, Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba and Armando Guebuza of Mozambique have bade farewell to the SADC Heads of State and Government as they have both served two five-year terms of office in their respective countries which go for presidential elections later this year.
Ten (10) SADC Heads of State , three Prime Ministers and two Vice Presidents attended this year’s Summit.
And in a communique read at the end of the summit by SADC Executive secretary Stergomena Lawrence Tax said the Summit encouraged the Coalition government in Lesotho to continue providing leadership in its efforts to find a lasting political solution to the current impasse.
And Vice President Guy Scott has since left for Lusaka after attending the two-day SADC Heads of State and Government Summit in Victoria Falls town, Zimbabwe.
A Women activist Grace Sampa has called on women across the country to respect their husbands to reduce gender based violence cases currently on the increase in the nation.
Ms Sampa said most cases of gender based violence are in most cases being perpetuated by un respectful Women towards their husbands.
She suggested that the general public should team up with the Zambia Police Service Victim Support wing in fighting gender based violence in the country.
ZANIS reports Ms. Sampa said this on the national television ZNBC programme dubbed “ The Reflection of Gender based violence” and monitored in Lusaka yesterday.
And Zambia Police Victim Support Unit representative Inspector Victor Ndemena said police are faced with many challenges in the fight against the vice.
Speaking on the same programme, Inspector Ndemena said many cases of gender based violence are withdrawn by complainants themselves making the work of officers challenging .
He said this has made the work of the Zambia Police Service difficulty when it comes to fighting gender based violence.
Meanwhile, Pastor Lesley Kapaya urged couples to love one another if their marriages are to be maintained.
Pastor Kapaya said love and tolerance between married people is no longer there contributing to increased gender based violence.
He noted that once married people learn to love one another, the cases of gender based violence will drastically reduce.
Business in Kalabo district on Friday last week came to a standstill as everyone in the main business district rushed to Mapa area to witness a witch doctor who was receiving instant justice by villagers who suspected him of practicing witchcraft.
A witch finder whose real names are not known but popularly known as’ Mr Phone’ and a resident in Senanga district is believed to have powers to identify people practicing witchcraft and Satanism.
ZANIS reports that according to some eyewitnesses who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal confirmed the incident.
They said this happened when Mr Phone ‘s services were requested by a named family in Mapa area who wanted him to assist them identify the person behind the death of their daughter who died whilst giving birth in the labour ward at the Kalabo district hospital.
Mr Phone who spent over five hours dancing and chanting attracted scores of residents after word went round.
He later told the family that the person behind their daughter’s death was the husband.
It was at this point that Mr phone began to beat up the suspect with the help of some villagers.
The witch finder further led villagers to destroy the suspect’s shop and goods in the process the suspect sustained serious injuries.
Mr Phone avoided an interview with the ZANIS officer only promised to pass through the office a development that proved futile.
Kalabo Police Officer-In- Charge Kim Masambo confirmed having heard the incident but could not act because the complainant did not formally report the matter to police.
And Kalabo district Commissioner Masela Chinyama condemned the incident.
Mrs Chinyama advised the victim to take legal action against the witch finder as there was no evidence to prove his acts in the courts of law.
The district commission explained that Mr Phone had no rights whatsoever to assault people on witchcraft allegations and the aggrieved had all the rights to report him to relevant authorities.
Veteran Politician Venom Mwanga has expressed hope that President Robert Mugabe’s chairmanship at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit will not affect the relation between the region and the US and European Union.
Dr. Mwaanga expressed his optimistic that the ongoing sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the European Union will not affect the SADC region considering President Mugabe’s position at the summit.
He said the European Union should esteem the views and evaluation of the SADC region concerning the matter and that it must recognize SADC’s stance on supporting the removal of these sanctions.
The EU recently imposed indefinite economic sanctions against the neighbouring nation due to alleged electoral mal-practices.
Dr. Mwaanga has expressed hope that the African delegates at the ongoing summit among other issues will reiterate efforts on the removal of the sanctions on Zimbabwe for the country to take its rightful place in the region and the world.
The Veteran politician said this in an interview in Lusaka, yesterday.
He has however commended the theme for this year’s summit adding that he hopes the deliberations during the meetings will result in SADC region being put on a new path of progress.
He noted that one of his aspirations of the summit is for African leaders to tackle the common serious challenges being faced in the region among other things.
Dr. Mwaanga also hopes that the deliberation at the summit will also result in African countries exporting finished products and not just raw materials.
The theme for the 34th SADC Heads of state is : “SADC strategy for Economic Transformation: Leveraging the Regions Diverse Resources for Sustainable Economic and social development through Beneficiation and value addition”.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mwaanga has also congratulated Zimbabwean president for taking over chairmanship of the ongoing Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit.
Dr. Mwaanga said President Robert Mugabe deserve the chairmanship position of the 15 member SADC regional grouping at the 34th heads of state summit.
President Mugabe whose country last hosted a SADC Summit 25 years ago has taken over the SADC chairmanship from Malawi’s President Peter Mutharika.
