SADC to table xenophobia concerns
Published On April 24, 2015 » 2009 Views» By Davies M.M Chanda » Latest News
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By REBECCA MUSHOTA –
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has said Zambia and other countries in the Southern African region will meet to discuss the incidences of xenophobia in South Africa next week in Zimbabwe.
President Lungu said countries in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region were working quietly with South Africa to try and help end the xenophobic attacks in that country.
“We are hopeful that the leadership of President Jacob Zuma will speedily address the problem. Next week, SADC countries will meet in Zimbabwe and we will discuss the issue,” he said.
The President was speaking when he received letters of credence from Saudi Arabia Ambassador to Zambia Abdulrahman Alowaifeer, Botswana High Commissioner to Zambia Lebonaang Makalake and South African High Commissioner to Zambia Sikose Mji at State House yesterday.
President Lungu said Zambia was proud of the achievements it has attained through partnerships with other countries like Botswana, South Africa and Saudi Arabia.
He said it is through such partnerships that Government has established investment incentives in the economy which contribute to Government’s fight to alleviate poverty.
“Zambia and your countries have enjoyed warm relations over the years that have been characterised by strong bonds of friendship, partnership and corporation. Botswana, Saudi Arabia and indeed South Africa have been significant bilateral and multilateral cooperating partners,” President Lungu said.
He said Zambia valued the development assistance it received from Saudi Arabia over the years and that is why the Patriotic Front (PF) Government resolved to re-open the Zambian Embassy in Riyadh last year.
wThe two countries held their inaugural session of the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) of cooperation in Riyadh earlier this year during which a number of agreements were signed in fields such as agriculture, finance, transport, tourism and health.
Zambia and Botswana, President Lungu said, have continued to uphold principles of democracy and good governance.
He said economic corporation between the two countries remained viable, with the construction of the Kazungula Bridge standing out.
President Lungu called for the quick completion of the bridge and the road.
He said he and South African president Jacob Zuma discussed convening an inaugural session of the JPC.
South African High Commissioner, Ms Mji said Zambia was a leader in the development of democracy in SADC.
Her Botswana counterpart Mr Mokalake said his country continued to benefit from Zambia’s tertiary and professional services in health and education while Mr Alowaifeer said he was looking forward to enhancing trade and investment cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Zambia.

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