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(STICKY) Don't isolate Zimbabwe, Chikwanda urges Africa

Don't isolate Zimbabwe, Chikwanda urges Africa
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Wed 30 May 2012, 13:28 CAT

FINANCE minister Alexander Chikwanda has appealed to African countries not to join Western states in isolating Zimbabwe.

And Chikwanda says it is saddening that main speakers at the just-ended Global African Diaspora Summit in South Africa did not acknowledge Zambia's contribution towards the freedom struggle, despite the country being the epicentre of liberation struggles in Southern Africa.

Chikwanda, who was representing President Michael Sata told the meeting that instead of joining in the isolation of Zimbabwe, fellow African countries should actually encourage the land reforms in that country.

He said Zimbabwe should be embraced because it was a member of the international community.

"All those sanctions against Zimbabwe, what are they achieving? Those (land) reforms will never be reversed," said Chikwanda at the meeting which was attended by several heads of state including Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.

This is according to a statement by first secretary for press at the Zambian High Commission in South Africa, Patson Chilemba.

Chikwanda said it was saddening that Zambia's contribution towards the liberation struggles could not even warrant a footnote in the speeches of the main speakers at the summit.

Chilemba stated that eminent personalities like former South African president Nelson Mandela, former Kenyan president Jomo Kenyatta, former Tanzanian president Julius Nyerere and Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana were mentioned fondly for the role they played in the liberation, but nothing was mentioned about Zambia and Dr Kenneth Kaunda.

Chilemba stated that some main speakers included South African President Jacob Zuma, Benin and current African Union President Boni Yayi, African Union Commission chairperson Jean Ping, Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Nguema Obiang and Vice-President of the Cuban Council of State Esteban Lazo.

Chilemba stated that the meeting, which ran from May 18 to 25, was held at Sandton Convention Centre in Sandton, South Africa, and was called to look at among other things collaboration and integration of the people of African descent in the Diaspora with mainland Africa.

Meanwhile, foreign and tourism minister Given Lubinda said he was impressed with how mission staff were maintaining the chancery.

"This is the first Zambian mission abroad which has shown to have a working website," said Lubinda.

Lubinda urged the mission to consider opening an office in Johannesburg to improve on the efficiency, like offering protocol services to dignitaries.

Labels: ALEXANDER CHIKWANDA, GIVEN LUBINDA, SANCTIONS, ZDERA

posted by MrK @ 3:09 AM