By Noel Sichalwe
Sunday March 25, 2007 [02:00]
PRESIDENT Levy Mwanawasa and Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba have called on the international community to assist the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo in consolidating peace. And the two Presidents have called for the need to make resources available for effective and affordable treatment of diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria between the two countries.
In a communiqué read by mines minister Kalombo Mwansa when President Mwanawasa arrived from a four day state visit in Namibia yesterday, the two Presidents welcomed the successful general elections in DRC and the inauguration of a democratic government. "They called upon the international community to continue assisting the people of DRC in their efforts towards consolidating peace, national reconstruction and economic development,” Mwansa said. He said the two Presidents noted with general satisfaction the peace and stability prevailing on the African continent.
However, Mwansa said the two Presidents expressed serious concern about the conflicts in Somalia and the Darfur region in Sudan. "They urged the governments and all the parties concerned to find lasting solutions to these conflicts," he said. "The two Heads of State reaffirmed their full support for the efforts by the AU (African Union) and UN (United Nations) in this regard." He said the two Presidents also expressed concern about lack of progress in the implementation of the UN resolutions on Western Sahara. He said the two leaders called upon the international community to intensify efforts towards the full exercise of the inalienable right to self-determination and national independence of the Saharawi people.
Mwansa also said the two leaders equally expressed concern about the deteriorating situation in the Middle East especially Palestine. He said they called for the immediate implementation of the relevant UN resolutions on Palestine. He said the two Presidents also reaffirmed the African common position on the democratisation of the UN Security Council as contained in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration. Mwansa said the two leaders held official talks which covered a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues of common interest. "The two Presidents agreed on the need to collectively confront poverty and diseases that are retarding development efforts by the two countries, especially HIV/AIDS pandemic, tuberculosis and malaria. They underscored the need to make resources available for effective and affordable treatment of these disease," he said.
Mwansa said Presidents Mwanawasa and Pohamba expressed satisfaction at the excellent relations that existed between the two countries. He said they further appreciated the bilateral co-operation programmes in various sectors like agriculture, mines and energy, education and training and health. He said the two Presidents further lauded progress achieved in areas of defence and security between the two countries and that the 12th Session of the Zambia-Namibia Joint Permanent Commission will be held in Zambia from March 27 this year.
Mwansa said the two leaders were also satisfied at the implementation of the Trans-Caprivi Highway, the Katima Mulilo Bridge on the Zambezi River and the Livingstone Sesheke Road has allowed a lot of trade between the two countries. He said the two leaders noted the impeding deficit in power generation and supply facing the Southern African region and that there was urgent need to conclude negotiations of power purchase agreement between Zesco and NamPower.
President Mwanawasa was accompanied by his wife Maureen, Mwansa, homes affairs minister Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha, transport minister Peter Daka, gender minister Sarah Saifwanda and other officials.
posted by MrK @ 10:12 PM
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