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(DAILY MAIL) ‘Obama to promote US, Africa partnerships’

‘Obama to promote US, Africa partnerships’
By JERRY MUNTHALI and BRIAN KAYAYA

UNITED States ambassador to Zambia Donald Booth says the election of Democratic Senator Barack Obama as President will promote continuity of the USA’s partnership with African states.

Mr Booth, who was speaking at a post USA election press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, said Mr Obama had reiterated his commitment to further strengthen the USA’s partnership and engagement with Africa.

“During his campaigns, Mr Obama reiterated his commitment to strengthening ties with Africa in areas such as health, education and poverty eradication,” he said.

Mr Booth said although policy changes may occur, continuity of the USA’s engagement in Africa’s development was assured.

He said other global issues such as the global financial crisis were likely to be top of the agenda for Mr Obama’s administration.

He said his office also looked forward to working with President Banda’s government in fostering socio-economic development in Zambia.

Mr Obama emerged winner in Tuesday’s election after garnering 51 per cent of the popular vote against 49 for his republican rival John McCain.

The historic elections are the 56th in which USA citizens have participated to elect their national leader.

Mr Obama won in at least 25 state, representing 338 electoral votes, surpassing the 270 electoral votes needed to secure victory.

The President-elect is expected to be inaugurated on January 20 next year and will use the next two months to put in place his cabinet and team of officials.

And Mr Booth says Zambia has once again proved that she is a nation that fervently and successfully clings to democratic ideals despite being a relatively young democracy.

Mr Booth who is newly appointed ambassador to Zambia said this on Tuesday during the US election night celebrations.

“Last week and throughout this past weekend, people watched closely as Zambia elected its fourth President. Zambia has proved once again, that despite being a young democracy, it is a nation that fervently and successfully clings to democratic ideals,” Mr Booth said.

He was referring to Zambia’s presidential election last Thursday, which was won by MMD candidate, Rupiah Banda.

Mr Booth congratulated President Banda and the people of Zambia for the successful election.
Mr Banda beat three other contestants to get the State House job.

Others in the contest were Patriotic Front president, Michael Sata, his United Party for National Development counterpart, Hakainde Hichilema and Heritage Party’s Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda.

Mr Booth said the US had come a long way from the days when women and African Americans could not vote.

He said he was happy that during the close primaries and throughout the tight general election campaign, the candidates travelled all around the US answering questions from Americans.

Mr Booth said the candidates articulated their positions on all the issues and tried to define how they could be the best President of the US.

He said this process, though long and expensive, forced the candidates to confront difficult issues head-on and to answer the American people face to face.

“It is a system that forces candidates to take stands on specific issues so that they can be held accountable by the voters,” Mr Booth said.

He said he looked forward to meeting the people of Zambia and hearing about ways the US and Zambia could continue working together.

Mr Booth said he was happy that America had made generous commitments to Zambia in good governance, the fight against corruption, education, HIV/AIDS, malaria, strengthening Zambia’s peace keeping capabilities and in the fight for gender equality.

Labels: BARACK OBAMA, DONALD BOOTH

posted by MrK @ 5:11 PM