By ANTHONY MULOWA  in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia –
THE United States Government has hailed Zambia’s January 20 presidential election as a model of democracy in Africa and an affirmation of the country’s entrenched culture of free and fair elections.

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Speaking when she paid a courtesy call on President Edgar Lungu on the margins of the AU Summit, US Under-Secretary for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the people and Government of Zambia had something to be proud of in the manner the country conducted elections.
“Your elections are a model and for us elections are top on the agenda of cooperation with partners. We are, therefore, pleased the Zambian elections in which you were elected President were smooth, free, transparent and fair,” Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield said.
“People voted and waited for results and they celebrated your victory.
We will continue to support Zambia and the Electoral Commission (of Zambia) because Zambia is a model of how to conduct elections and how to manage democracy.”
Ms Thomas-Greenfield said the US was confident to state that it found the election to have been conducted in a free and fair environment. The United States was happy that Zambia continued to be an outstanding and shining example of a budding democracy other countries on the continent should emulate.
“You campaigned in peace and President Lungu won in peace which is an amazing thing that continues to make Zambia a unique African democracy. There is a lot to learn from Zambia’s ability to rise above differences and exercise democratic practices to the fullest,” she said.
President Lungu applauded the excellent relations between Zambia and the US and looked forward to closer cooperation.
The Head of State reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to maintaining and strengthening the existing cordial bilateral relations and assured the US that Zambia would uphold the shared values of democracy and free market enterprise.
The President expressed profound gratitude to the American government for their observation efforts and for donating US$400,000 towards Zambia’s electoral process ahead of the January 20 polls.
“I wish to re-affirm Zambia’s commitment to upholding values and principles of democracy, good governance and the rule of law. My Government will in that regard deliver a people-driven Constitution to the Zambian People,” President Lungu said.
“The mandate bestowed on me by the Zambian people would be used to serve the people’s interests.”
Mr Lungu said poverty reduction through economic diversification, job creation, and prudent economic and social policies would be part of his priority areas.
Meanwhile, President Lungu has said Zambia will always adhere to the ‘One China Policy’ and his administration would seek to enhance bilateral relations with the People’s Republic of China.
Mr Lungu said this during a meeting with Chinese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Zhang Ming on the sidelines of the African Union (AU) Summit of Heads of State and Government leaders.
He said the two countries shared a long history of cordial relations under which they had supported each other in their development agenda in the past 51 years.
Mr Zhang said China was saddened by the death of President Michael Sata whom he described as a great friend of China.
Mr Lungu also held separate meetings with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven and AU chairperson Nkosazana Dhlamini-Zuma.