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(DAILY MAIL ZM) Maputo welcomes Sata

Maputo welcomes Sata
August 17, 2012 | Filed under: Local News | Posted by: web editor
From KASUBA MULENGA in Maputo

PRESIDENT Sata arrived here yesterday to join other leaders attending the Southern African Development Community (SADC) 32nd heads of State and government summit taking place at the Joachim Chissano Convention Centre in the Mozambican capital.

The challenger jet carrying Mr Sata, First Lady Christine Kaseba and other senior Government officials touched down at Maputo International Airport at about 12:05 hours.

PRESIDENT Sata shakes hands with Inspector General of police Stella Libongani at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport before leaving for Mozambique. - Picture by JOHN NGOMA.

He was received by Mozambican minister of Tourism Antonio Sumbanah, minister of Foreign Affairs Given Lubinda, Ministry of Foreign Affairs permanent secretary Peter Kasanda, Zambia´s High Commissioner to Mozambique Japhen Mwakalombe and senior Government officials from both countries.

Mr Sata and Dr Kaseba immediately proceeded to the pristine Polana Serena Hotel, located on the shores of the Indian Ocean.

Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Bob Sichinga, Deputy Minister of Finance Miles Sampa and Attorney General Mumba Malila received Mr Sata at the hotel, after which he had a private luncheon.

The heads of State and government summit is scheduled to be officially opened today and will run simultaneously with the SADC First Ladies meeting at which Zambia will be represented by Dr Kaseba.

So far, some meetings have already taken place, including the standing committee of senior government officials and a special ministerial task force on regional integration which took place on Monday.

The finance and investment committee meeting took place on Tuesday, with representation from Mr Sichinga and Mr Sampa.

The council of ministers meeting took place yesterday at Indy Village Hotel, which all the Zambian ministers attended.

Mozambican President Armando Guebuza will host a state banquet for visiting heads of State and government scheduled tomorrow.

President Sata is today expected to deliver his maiden speech about 11:15 hours. Others who will deliver similar speeches are Malawian President Joyce Banda and Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane.

Angolan President Jose´ Eduardo dos Santos, who is SADC chairperson, will later during the official opening ceremony give prizes to regional winners of the 2011 SADC essay competition and media awards.

President Dos Santos will later present a keynote address before handing over the SADC chairperson´s badge to his successor President Guebuza who will then deliver an acceptance statement of the SADC chairmanship.

Meanwhile, TEDDY KUYELA in Lusaka reports that Mr Sata yesterday left the country at about 10:25 hours at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.

He was seen off by acting President Alexander Chikwanda, Vice President Dr Guy Scott, Minister of Defence Geoffrey Mwamba, Lusaka mayor Daniel Chisenga and other Government officials.

Labels: MICHAEL SATA, MOZAMBIQUE, SADC

posted by MrK @ 2:18 AM