Maravi

(TIMES ZAMBIA) Zambia, DRC committed to ICGLR initiatives

COMMENT - Not to sound too cynical, but they seem to be more concerned about the crumbs that falll off the table from the big players who bribe the government so they won't have competition when they exploit the people's resources without paying dividends or taxes.

Zambia, DRC committed to ICGLR initiatives
By Times Reporter

ZAMBIA and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have committed themselves to participating in the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) initiatives to eradicate the illegal exploitation of natural resources which fuel conflict in the region. The two countries have also reaffirmed their commitment to the principles and ideals of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).

This is contained in a joint communiqué issued at Chimfule Lodge in Mfuwe yesterday after President Rupiah Banda together with his counterpart Joseph Kabila, who is the current chairperson of the ICGLR, and other officials from the two countries, held a closed-door meeting that lasted close to two hours.

The two leaders also agreed to hold the special summit on the ICGLR on the illegal exploitation of natural resources in December in Lusaka this year.

“The two leaders agreed on holding the special summit of the ICGLR on the illegal exploitation of the natural resources in Lusaka, Zambia in December 2010 in consultation with other member states,” reads the communiqué in part.

The meeting was attended by the ICGLR executive secretary Liberata Mulamula.

The Zambian delegation included Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande, Defence Minister Kalombo Mwansa, Mines Minister Maxwell Mwale, Eastern Province Minister Isaac Banda and other senior Government officials.

President Kabila was accompanied by regional and international corporation minister, Raymond Tshibanda.

Mr Kabila thanked Mr Banda and the Government for the warm welcome that was extended to him and his delegation.

The two leaders left Mfuwe shortly after the meeting.

Labels: DRC, ICGLR, MINING

posted by MrK @ 8:41 PM