•US Ambassador Eric Schultz (right) and Zambia’s Deputy Defence Minister Christopher Mulenga (left) toast during the commemoration of the US independence in Lusaka. Picture: Courtesy of THE US EMBASSY.

By MIRIAM ZIMBA –

ONE of the most widely accepted definitions of the term democracy was coined by the 16th president of the United States of America (USA) Abraham Lincoln and it goes like this: ‘Government of the people, by the people for the people.’
It is probably not just a sheer coincidence that the United States (US) this year not only toasts 239 years of its independence, but also boasts of being the world’s oldest democracy.
On the other hand, former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once described democracy as ‘the worst form of government-except when compared to all other forms of governments’.
But then should America’s democracy be a role model to young democracies like Zambia and other countries?
US Ambassador to Zambia Eric Schultz described democracy as a form of governance that takes great consideration of the interests of the majority.
“Yes, democracy is messy and loud and full of contention. But in the end it is the one form of government that ensures that government is working for the good of all rather than the narrow interests of the few.”
“Take the United States for example-we may be the oldest democracy but we are far from a perfect one. We have many flaws but we work in progress, a country that is changing and improving all the time,” he adds.
These remarks were made during the recently held commemorations held at Ambassador Schultz’s residence in Lusaka to mark his country’s national day, which is commemorated on July 4 each year.
On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted to declare independence from Great Britain.
The declaration of independence, written by Thomas Jefferson was formally adopted by the Congress two days later, on July 4.
“We Americans celebrate our national day on July 4, but it might have easily been July 2. Our second president John Adams, who was instrumental in the push for independence wanted July 2 to be our independence,” he said.
Not too many years ago, it would have probably been unthinkable to imagine the US having a black president, but now that this has happened, possibilities of having its first female president in the near future is not an impossibility either.
According to Ambassador Schultz, Zambia is not only a country with democratic history; it is also a country with a bright economic future.
“Zambia has an enviable reputation for democracy but reputations are hard won and can easily be lost. Elections must be free, fair, and peaceful and adhere to the Constitution for Zambia to keep its democracy reputation and to realise its bright future,” he said.
The Ambassador reiterated his government’s commitment to assisting Zambia foster good democratic tenets, which should manifest in many ways.
One of the ways is through encouraging freedom of expression, without which democracy cannot be sustained.
The US and Zambia also have a growing security relationship, built on the premise that no matter how stable and peaceful, no country is immune to the security challenges of our today.
This can be demonstrated by Zambia’s active role in peacekeeping missions across the African continent.
Ambassador Schultz descries Zambia’s as best suited for this, and pledged his government’s continued support to train Zambia’s military personnel in order for them to execute this role, which will ultimately help Africa become a safer, more secure and prosperous continent.
Currently, the US is Zambia’s largest bilateral donor with a particular emphasis on assistance in the health sector.
In the view of the US government, an economically viable Zambia would become the region’s breadbasket, with a thriving commercial agriculture sector exporting foodstuffs throughout the world.
It would have well-run extractive industries, with vibrant downstream companies generating well paid jobs.
It would be an electricity exporter, with hydro and solar plants generating large, environmentally safe power .
And it would have a world-class tourism industry with the Victoria Falls, one of the world’s natural wonders, and with some of the best safaris and game viewing in Africa.
But in order to achieve this, Ambassador Schultz said Zambia must invest in education and that it should adopt market policies that unleash entrepreneurial spirit of the country-so evident in its young people.
It must conquer the scourges of HIV/AIDS and malaria, and above all, Zambia must maintain its democracy, its peace and stability.
Representing the Zambian government, Defence Deputy Minister Christopher Mulenga traced Zambia’s warm and cordial relations with the USA to the period when Zambia attained independence in 1964.
At the time, in spite of being located thousands of miles apart, the US government took an interest in Zambia and offered a hand of friendship.
“I wish to reaffirm our commitment to these relations and assure you of our desire to see these relations flourish for the mutual benefit of our two countries and people.
‘’ On a bilateral level, the close bonds of friendship between Zambia and the US have been evidenced by the many exchanges of high level visits which have taken place between our two countries.
‘’On behalf of government and the people of Zambia, I wish to thank the government of the USA for having included Zambia in the awarding of the 2015 Washington-Mandela fellowship programme which builds on President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative which was launched in 2010.
‘’It gives me great pleasure to note that 21 Zambians have been selected to be part of this programme that is expected to bring together 500 young leaders each year to the USA for leadership training, at top US universities in three broad areas of business, entrepreneurship, and civic leadership, and public management.
“Let me take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude of the government and people of the USA for the generous assistance that has been extended to Zambia over the years,” Mr Mulenga said.
Zambia has greatly benefited from the US assistance which has been provided mainly in fields such as agriculture, education, security cooperation, health including the fight against HIV/AIDS, water and sanitation, and in the strengthening of democratic systems and good governance.
In the area of security cooperation, Zambia is particularly grateful to the US for the support rendered in terms of training and provision of hi-tech material namely helmets, uniforms, and other protective gear to the peace keeping troops in the Central African Republic, valued at US$850,000.
The training obtained has not only enhanced the knowledge and skills gained by the army, but would certainly be used to ensure the maintenance of peace in Sub-Saharan Africa as a whole.
He reiterated the Zambian government’s commitment to the ideals of democracy and good governance as a pre-requisite to achieving sustainable economic development.
He also reaffirmed government’s desire to strengthen existing bonds of friendship between our two countries for the mutual benefit of our peoples.
The United States and Zambia have enjoyed good relations since Zambia’s independence from Great Britain.
Despite high levels of poverty, Zambia successfully made the transition from one-party rule to democracy in 1991 and provides a safe haven to refuges from throughout Africa, while the US has sought to bolster Zambia’s prospects through economic and humanitarian assistance
The US recognised Zambia on October 24, 1964, when the American consulate at Lusaka was elevated to Embassy status upon Zambia’s attainment of independence on the same date. Zambia previously had been under British sovereignty as Northern Rhodesia.
The proposed toast by the Zambian government at the commemorations could not have summed it better than it was put.
“To the continued personal good health and wellbeing of His Excellency President Obama of the USA, to the continued warm bilateral relations between Zambia and the US, and to the continued peace and prosperity of our two countries, and people”.