Pretoria- Tuesday 15th August 2017
Zambia has been praised by the Southern Africa Development Community(SADC) for growth in its Democracy.
Speaking during the official opening of the SADC Council of Ministers, SADC Executive Secretary Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax praised Zambia and others that recently held national elections for holding credible, peaceful and free and fair elections.
She said Zambia, Lesotho and Seychelles held elections that were monitored by international observers including SADC and that the elections were held in a free and fair atmosphere.
“We are proud of the region. Zambia, Lesotho and Seychelles held very successful and credible elections. We congratulate the governments of Zambia, Lesotho and Seychelles for this growth in Democracy”.
Zambia is represented by Minister of National Planning Development Hon. Lucky Mulusa, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Hon. Margaret Mwanakatwe and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Harry Kalaba.
The technical team is led by Permanent Secretaries Mrs. Kayula Siame and Lombe Chalwe.
Since the meeting opened on 10th August 2017, critical issues related to sectors of Energy, Disaster preparedness, Agriculture development, climate change, regional cooperation, banking and financial matters, quest to honour founding fathers, anti-poaching strategies and other matters that should promote peace, security, trade and investment and regional integration in the region
President Edgar Lungu is expected to arrive in Pretoria on Friday 18th August 2017 to attend the Heads of State Summit Meeting.
South Africa and President Jacob Zuma will take over the SADC 2017-2018 Chairmanship while President Edgar Lungu will take over the critical organ of Defense and Security.