SADC drivers refuse to cross into Congo
By Abigail Chaponda and Noel Iyombwa in Kasumbalesa
Sat 05 Oct. 2013, 14:00 CAT
HUNDREDS of SADC drivers on Thursday refused to cross into the Republic of Congo (DRC) despite assurances from the Congolese consulate general Chantal Konji Malaba that safety will be guaranteed once they were in Congo.
And Malaba has apologised on behalf of her country to all African countries for the embarrassment and harassment they have suffered at the hands of Congolese.
A check by home affairs deputy minister Stephen Kampyongo and Malaba at Kasumbalesa border revealed a number of drivers still marooned on the Zambian side, waiting to be addressed by the head of SADC.
Kampyongo and Congolese officials held a meeting from 11:00 hours to 19:00 hours but the drivers refused to cross into Congo.
"The Congolese officials have assured you and guaranteed you of safety once you are in their country. Nothing will happen to you. I want some drivers to cross into Congo and come and give me a report if the situation of harassing you drivers will continue. I am sending you, so whatever happens, I will be held accountable. Please just cross over," Kampyongo told the drivers.
He said it was not safe for the trucks to be marooned for seven days in Chililabombwe because it was a security concern.
Kampyongo said the Zambian government was concerned about the killings and harassment of SADC drivers in Congo and wanted to make sure that they are safe.
"I am a leader and I know what I am talking about. I will not tell you to cross if I know that it is not safe. These officials have assured you. The trucks that are parked here are not supposed to be here because some are carrying fuel," he said.
Despite the assurance that they would be accompanied by police officers, the drivers vowed not to cross into DRC.
The situation almost became volatile when one of the drivers attempted to cross but was pounced on by fellow drivers, who grabbed his keys, and was only rescued by Zambian police officers. Two drivers were arrested but later released after interventions by Kampyongo.
The drivers complained that by asking them to cross into Congo, the Zambian government was sending them to their death.
"Minister, what you are asking us to do is to sacrifice ourselves to the Congolese people. You are telling us to go and die and leave our families. Please, just let us stay here in Zambia where it is safe, unlike you sending us to death," said a Zimbabwean driver.
The drivers demanded to be addressed by the head of SADC and to make sure that documents were signed to guarantee them safety in Congo.
And Malaba said what some Congolese were doing was uncalled for and embarrassing, especially that the people of Congo do not harass foreigners only but even fellow Congolese.
"Please, give Congo a second chance; we need you for survival. Right now, the President (Joseph Kabila) is working on putting measures to solve the crisis. If you don't go into our country, people will die because you bring medicine, food, fuel and things to keep us living," she said.
She said that once drivers did not deliver food into the country, a lot of innocent people would suffer because of a few selfish individuals.
Malaba promised that the drivers would be given, among other things, emergency toll-free numbers which could be used once they were harassed whether by civilians or military personnel.
She said there was no business going on in Congo because goods were stuck at Kasumbalesa border.
"I am giving you my word that I will escort you into Congo up to a certain point so that I can make sure that you are safe. I stay in Ndola but we have never been harassed. We have been to different countries in the SADC region but we have never been harassed. I am sorry for what is happening. Killing is bad and it should not be allowed. I am speaking like a mother, and no mother would want her child killed. Forgive Congo and give us a second chance, please," pleaded Malaba.
Labels: CHANTAL KONJI MALABA, DRC, SADC, SECURITY
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Zimbabwe safe for all to see
EDITOR — Zimbabwe’s hosting of world number one soccer team Brazil in an historic encounter is more than a sweet coup as Zimbabwe becomes only the fifth African country to engage the mighty Samba Boys.
Coupled with the ongoing Micromax Triangular Cricket Series in which we are playing India and Sri Lanka — all global powerhouses — Zimbabwe has shown that it is a safe and peaceful destination.
This contrasts sharply with the hysterical "safety" concerns peddled by the likes of England, Australia and little New Zealand who have used this dishonest and clearly puerile ground for not wanting to involve Zimbabwe.
What we are seeing in Zimbabwe is the conquest of the spirit of sportsmanship not poisoned by politics.
In fact, it is a celebration of the commonality of non-Western countries, which in earnest represents the progressive future of the world.
The involvement of Brazil, India and Sri Lanka with Zimbabwe is commendable and should definitely teach the West a strong lesson.
No matter how much England, Australia, New Zealand, and other forces of evil try to black Zimbabwe out, the situation on the ground speaks volumes for itself.
Zimbabwe remains safe, sound, peaceful, tranquil and progressive.
It remains one of the world’s prime destinations, which status the West has tried all the tricks in the book to erase.
Mercy Matapatira.
Harare.
Labels: FOOTBALL, SECURITY
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Civil society seek audience with Mangani over security
By Ernest Chanda
Tue 16 Mar. 2010, 03:00 CAT
A CONSORTIUM of 11 civil society organisations (CSOs) are today expected to seek audience with home affairs minister Lameck Mangani on matters of security and law in the nation.
And the CSOs have resolved to hold a good governance rally on the 27th of this month.
According to a letter dated March 15, 2010 and signed by Citizens Forum executive secretary Simon Kabanda, the civil society organisations have also expressed concern at issues of orderliness in the nation.
“I write to you on behalf of a consortium of civil society organisations seeking an appointment with you this week on Tuesday 16 March 2010. The civil society organisations would like to meet with you to discuss matters of security, law and order in the nation,” Kabanda stated.
The 11 organisations include the Anti-Voter Apathy Project, Caritas Zambia, Citizens Forum, Civil Society for Poverty Reduction and the Civil Society Trade Network of Zambia.
Others are the Foundation for Democratic Process, National Youth Association in the Fight Against Corruption, Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes, Transparency International Zambia, Zambia Civic Education Association and the Zambia Council for Social Development.
And the civil society organisations have notified Lusaka division commanding officer Greenwell Ng’uni of a public rally in Lusaka’s Mandevu area.
“We write to you on behalf of a consortium of civil society organisations, to give notice to you that we intend to hold a Good Governance Rally in Lusaka on Saturday 27 March 2010. The venue of the public rally is Mutambe Grounds in Mandevu,” stated Kabanda.
Labels: CIVIL SOCIETY, LAMECK MANGANI, SECURITY
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Zamtel sale won’t harm security – Lungwangwa
Written by Florence Bupe
Saturday, August 08, 2009 1:49:53 PM
COMMUNICATIONS minister Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa has said the privatisation of Zamtel will not in any way compromise the country’s security system as suggested by some stakeholders.
In his draft ministerial statement to Parliament on the partial sale of Zamtel yesterday, Prof Lungwangwa said the transaction would in fact strengthen the country’s security through enhanced technology.
“We, in no way, seek to undermine the security of this nation as some have suggested. In fact, in privatising Zamtel, Zambia stands to strengthen the security of our country through modern technologies as opposed to living in the sixties,” he said.
Prof Lungwangwa said the privatisation of incumbent telecommunications companies was not taking place in Zambia alone, and cited Ghana as an example of an African state that had sold off 70 per cent of the state-owned Ghana Telecom to a private sector player, Vodafone.
He said since the privatisation of the company, Ghana Telecom had registered significant positive strides in its operations.
Prof Lungwangwa assured that Zamtel would only be released to a bidder that would meet the requirements set by the government.
He explained that following the evaluation of Zamtel by RP Capital consultants and subsequent findings and recommendations, the government had directed the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) to undertake the implementation of the recommendations in accordance with the ZDA Act 11 of 2006.
“The report of the consultants was presented to the Cabinet Committee of Ministers on Zamtel. The consultants recommended that in order to avert a collapse of Zamtel, the government should look for an equity partner who can buy 75 per cent shareholding in Zamtel and retain 25 per cent equity in the company. The committee studied the report and presented a joint cab memo to the Economic Restructuring and Development Committee of Cabinet (ERDC),” said Prof Lungwanga.
“The recommendations of the ERDC were subsequently approved and adopted by the full Cabinet...It is expected that ZDA will implement this decision in line with the ZDA Act.”
Labels: GEOFFREY LUNGWANGWA, RP CAPITAL PARTNERS, SECURITY, TREASON, ZAMTEL
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Zamtel deal compromises Zambia’s security – Miyanda
Written by George Chellah
Friday, July 31, 2009 3:47:13 PM
HERITAGE Party (HP) president Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda yesterday warned that the Zamtel deal compromises the country's national security system.
Brig Gen Miyanda said President Rupiah Banda had opened wide the door to Zambia's bedroom for a few pieces of silver and that at this rate there would soon be no Zambia.
He said
breach of security was worse than corruption because a thief is eventually caught and punished but when security is compromised chances are that the enemy who has penetrated your institutions not only takes over these national institutions but also puts his own people who may include compromised Zambians. Brig Gen Miyanda said the 75 per cent privatisation of Zamtel must be opposed outright as a betrayal of the people of Zambia.
"The attacks by the President on those who had been in government before is not a good argument because even himself was at one time in the longest-serving regime of UNIP which lasted for 27 years! He should not vilify [former finance minister Ng'andu ] Magande because he knows what happens in that so-called collective responsibility," Brig Gen Miyanda said.
"Let him come up with better arguments and defences for the betrayal of the Zambian's trust and confidence. I call upon all Zambians, including the workers affected, to stand up against the usual manipulation of information and statistics for eventual delivery of killer punches that have been orchestrated by the hidden hand over many years."
He wondered whether the service chiefs advised President Banda, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the defence forces, over the deal.
"What about Zanaco? While in government a few of us resisted and refused for Zanaco to be sold on the grounds that it was our own independence baby; it was viable and at the time it had a lot of assets and a reasonable balance sheet even in foreign exchange. Some powerful minister wanted Zanaco to merge with Meridien bank; we implored Dr Chiluba to refuse and he obliged. After we left government the idea was revived; I was one of the opposition political leaders who joined the unions in a march and demonstration that ended at Freedom Statue with a petition to President Mwanawasa," Brig Gen Miyanda said.
"The late president changed his intention to sell though later he again went back on his word. Zanaco went for a song; Zambians were at it again. President Banda should not speak against those who were in government; some of us have continued to be patriotic and will criticise him if does things that are not in our national interest or national security. The President is the Commander-in-Chief of our Defence Force. Have the Service Chiefs advised him that it is in order to compromise our national security system? I would be very shocked and ashamed to be one of them if that is what they have advised him.
"Remember how Ian Smith paralysed our communications system and kept our air force glued to the ground without taking off and coming on their frequencies and cheekily announcing 'This is Green Leader, we are not after you Zambians; we are after ZIPRA. Stay on the ground and you will not be harmed'. President Banda are you paying attention or you think only money matters?"
He said his heart was heavy and he was crying for the day when Zambians would wake up and put a stop to this perennial fraud promoted by electoral nonsense which does not assist in identifying leaders who love their motherland.
"No one else can ever end the plunder and rape of our resources except the people themselves. The cheating at elections will not stop because the people are not stopping it; they are tacit participants. That is why I cry, crying for a time when the people will realise that no foreigner comes to help you, they come to help themselves," Brig Gen Miyanda said.
"Zambians must realise that no one donates to you; no one gives you a grant; it is all a form of business and you must earn it and pay back if you owe. Hence Zambians must retrace their steps back to the village, revisiting the principles that helped our forefathers to survive the most devastating economic conditions."
He said listening to communications minister Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa recently on MUVI TV he could not help but conclude that there were traitors in the government masquerading as leaders of the people.
"These are agents of foreign interests and pushers of personal agenda. A traitor is one who betrays a friend, a cause, or his or her people or country. Minister Lungwangwa and his friends have betrayed the cause of independence. Through their conduct they have demonstrated that they do not deserve the trust or confidence of Zambians. Workers' union leaders must be slow to support this treachery until they have fully examined the full impact of what the government scheme is all about. The workers must not just look at the immediate pay cheque but think of the long-term outcome. When Jesus Christ was betrayed, Judah's Iscariot kissed him while the vultures were watching as he identified his prey," Brig Gen Miyanda said. "Minister Lungwangwa and his President have been kissing Zambians with sugar-coated words and phrases about development because they know that Zambians are docile and always ready and willing to be deceived and they seem to enjoy and forget who was manipulating them. They are willing partners in these never-ending hide and seek games. Politicians seek and hide the wealth of the nation, and the people wake up and come out to praise and worship them; a little later they start shouting 'corruption, corruption', forgetting their tacit acquiescence. No law will stop this nonsense; no constitution will stop the plunder."
He said in Zambia the Constitution and other laws were just for displaying to tourists and bogus investors that we are good boys and girls of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
"What can you conclude when you hear from a minister of the government words and phrases like ‘government cannot stop expressions of intent; shares must be secondary, Zambians must come along and establish a flag carrier? Etc etc.' Government can stop expressions of interest by the way it frames the laws in the protection of its citizens; other governments do it all the time. As an economist, President Banda must surely be aware that in business and company law, shares are everything; whoever has majority shares owns the company and determines and decides its direction and future, including when to pay or not pay a dividend. For President Banda and the minister to focus only on the money coming in is to be like the proverbial ostrich with its head buried in the sand and leaving the rest of the body exposed and unprotected!" Brig Gen Miyanda said. "It is naive for the minister to invite Zambians to set up a national flag carrier. How can it be a national flag carrier if it is owned by individuals? In any case the minister is not serious in this policy pronouncement and has contradicted himself in his speech. In answer to the interviewer, the minister stated that the logic of the 75 per cent was to attract would-be investors. He went on to say that the US 200 million dollars expected was a lot of money, which was obviously out of reach of many Zambians. If the money is too much for Zambians why was he inviting Zambians to join in this one-sided competition without offering them capital to participate? Clearly he was merely politicking and blindfolding those who were listening to him."
He said learned people were good at covering up their tracks with well-chosen words and phrases.
"But after they finish their convincing verbal performance, it is time to ask them the Heritage million dollar question; ‘What is really in it for Zambians at large? Who are these Zambians you are talking about, minister?' How can Lungwangwa brush off a question about Zambia's security? Breach of security is worse than corruption because a thief is eventually caught and punished. But when security is compromised chances are that the enemy who has penetrated your institutions not only takes over these national institutions but puts his own people who may include compromised Zambians," Brig Gen Miyanda said. "He takes charge of your life, the nation's life, the making or influencing of the making of laws according to his desire to protect his own interests which are almost always opposed to yours. And of course he takes all the money out of our country. President Banda has opened wide the door to Zambia's bedroom for a few pieces of silver. At this rate there will soon be no Zambia; at the rate at which these unpatriotic Zambians are alienating our land there will be no villages left standing; if there will be no villages then there will be no Zambia; if there will be no Zambia then there will be no Zambians, instead we shall remain with the illusive rainbow fluttering in our faces. If there are no nations that have gone extinct, Zambia will be the first. The name Zambia will be a statistic for the archives."
He said Zambians must stand up and fight against this new colonialism brought about by their own so-called sons of the soil.
"God played his part; he is not creating any new lands. You have not heard of new lands being created instead you have been hearing of lands being discovered, trips to outer space to discover and explore what is already created. If you allow yourselves to be cheated and taken for a ride God will not be there for you no matter how many times you declare that you are a Christian nation, for He has said if you do not claim your inheritance someone else will. Stop President Banda and his selfish team from dismembering our country," he said.
He said his party was totally against xenophobia and that the most important function of any President who ascends to office was not the managing of the economy but the protection of the peoples from plunderers and vicious prowlers called investors.
"Today foreigners have easy access to our security installations and cantonments. Today there are Chinese, Russians, Eskimos and all kinds of characters trooping in and out of security places without let or hindrance. Where do you find such a casual and unintelligent arrangement in the world today? Why do you think America has stringent anti-terrorist laws and have convinced Vice-President George Kunda to copy the same laws and impose them on Zambians?" Brig Gen Miyanda asked. "Strangely, the British trained us well and inculcated in us a spirit of patriotism. But even when we were being trained abroad there are certain lectures which were closed to us the foreigners and were strictly for their nationals; we were conveniently sent on tours while their sons and daughters were receiving important tutoring on highly classified lectures. In Zambia we are said to be one and belong to one world, how foolish and naive!"
He said security could not be taken care of by laws as Prof Lungwangwa misled himself.
"The minister must realize and know that security is an attitude of the mind. If he believes that laws will protect us against saboteurs of our nation's security then he better pack up and go back to UNZA to continue theorizing. There is no protection in laws; it seems to me that the passing of new laws by the Banda regime may be a cover up for either offences already committed or those schemed to be committed. Tacitus, a well known Latin historian, is reputed to have said that 'when the State is most corrupt, the laws are most numerous'," said Brig Gen Miyanda. "You can see how many laws are being churned out on corruption even when the current law is clear about this crime. Now these schemers are going to steal Zamtel in broad daylight and pass legislation to legalise this under the very noses of the loquacious but gullible Zambians. How many times have we been told about a parastatal that is alleged not to be viable and yet the very next day after being sold it makes more money than it was bought for?
"I have practical examples of government collusion in the rape of our wealth and natural resources. MSB is one; others are Zambia Airways, Contract Haulage, Zambia Education Publishing House (ZEPH) and Government Printers. While in government I lost many of these battles; but in the end I believe I won the battles because day in, day out, today there are revelations of things I spoke against and those I warned about."
Labels: GENERAL MIYANDA, PRIVATISATION, SECURITY, ZAMTEL
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DR Congo urges enhanced security ties with Zambia
Written by Abigail Chaponda in Ndola
Thursday, May 07, 2009 3:13:46 PM
CONGOLESE provincial interior and cultural affairs minister Jean Marie Dikanga Kazadi has said it is important for Zambia and Congo DR to have security sub-committee meetings often to enhance security between the two countries.
Kazadi, prior to a security sub-committee meeting at Cabinet office in Ndola yesterday, said it was vital for the two countries to exchange ideas on common points.
"We are happy to be here and I am sure that what we are going to discuss is going to strengthen relations between our countries. We are happy that the Copperbelt minister Mwansa Mbulakulima and Katanga Province governor Moses Katumbi had cemented relations between our countries which showed that we were one family," Kazadi said. "We are brothers and if we have issues, we should be able to dialogue. And we should be able to meet often so that we can discuss common interests. We assure you permanent secretary that we are ready for any meeting that you are going to call, just invite us."
And Copperbelt Province permanent secretary Villie Lombanya said Kazadi's presence was an indication that Zambian and DRC were close members of the same family.
"I hope that the few issues that we are going to discus will be in a brotherly manner. Let us discuss the issues in a spirit of brotherhood so that we can show that we love each other," said Lombanya. "I also want thank the Congolese government for the way they handled the maize issue. Thank you for the efforts you made in resolving the issue. There should be dialogue between our countries; it helps a lot."
Labels: DRC, SECURITY, VILLIE LOMBANYA
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Police probe State leakages
By Times Reporter
THE Police Service has opened investigations on the rampant leakages of state secrets by public officers, acting inspector general, Francis Kabonde has said.
Mr Kabonde said yesterday at a Press briefing that the service had opened an inquiry file because it was an offence for public officers to leak State secrets to members of the public.
“Such people risk being arrested for communicating certain information contrary to section 4 of the penal code chapter 111 of the Laws of Zambia,” he said.
He said under the same section, it was an offence for any person to communicate to an unauthorised person, information that had been entrusted in confidence to him by any person holding office in Government.
He said the inquiry was general and was not targeted at a single ministry because all public officers should respect the principle of confidentiality and failure to do so was punishable by law.
In a similar incident, police in Chililabombwe impounded five trucks for attempting to smuggle mealie meal and maize grain to Congo DR.
He said four trucks were carrying maize while the fifth truck was carrying maize meal but police intercepted them at Kasumbalesa Border because they had no documents to support the export of the commodities.
Mr Kabonde said that all the five drivers fled but police picked up a woman who was found in one of the trucks to help with investigations.
And chililabombwe district commissioner, Timothy Musonda, who led a combined team of police, Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) officers, said the cargo was the largest consigment to be intercepted.
He said the trucks impounded were ABD 3099 white in colour with trailer numbers AAX 5640T, AAX 5641T, ACH 6421 Volvo truck red in colour with trailer numbers ACE 9145T, ACE 9149T and ACJ 9629 Scania with the trailer registration number ACH 9649T.
Mr Musonda said an ERF truck registration number ABD 3589 and trailer registration ABD 3398T was carrying maize. He did not have details of the fifth truck.
He said the impounded trucks would be driven to ZRA regional office in Kitwe today to establish the exact number of bags (tonnage) of both mealie and maize.
He said the mealie meal situation in Chililabombwe had become complicated because some Zambians were involved in smuggling.
Mr Musonda said last week, Copperbelt Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima called on all DCs in the province and the district police chiefs to devise strategies on how to coordinate and monitor mealie meal movement.
And Mr Kabonde also said that police on the Copperbelt yesterday arrested six suspects and one in Lusaka for attempting to steal 33,000 litres of diesel belonging to BP Zambia.
He said the tankers belonging to Keren Tankers were contracted by BP Zambia to deliver the diesel to Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) in Chililabombwe but the suspects attempted to steal the commodity in Kitwe.
He said the tanker carrying 33,000 litres of diesel was intercepted by alert police officers in Kitwe near Nakadoli Market where another private tanker was to receive the diesel.
The IG said that the seventh suspect, a technician at BP Zambia who was supposed to be monitoring the movement of the tanker was also picked up because it was suspected that he switched off the tracking device in order to facilitate the theft.
He said the two tankers had since been taken to Kamfinsa Mobile police training college for safety while investigations continued.
Labels: CORRUPTION, SECURITY
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Samfya cops alert HH after security threat
By Mwala Kalaluka in Samfya
Tuesday October 14, 2008 [04:00]
POLICE in Samfya last Sunday asked UPND president Hakainde Hichilema to prematurely conclude his public rally in town after word went round that some PF cadres wanted to disrupt it. And Hichilema has said the poverty levels in Luapula Province are quite annoying.
Police officers that were providing security during the public rally held at Samfya Basic School alerted Hichilema's security officer that some PF members that were among a crowd watching a football game at a nearby field wanted to disrupt the UPND meeting as soon the match was over.
Hichilema's security officer immediately went into action and advised the drivers in the presidential candidate's motorcade to prepare to make a quick exit from the scene.
However, Hichilema continued to address a sizeable crowd that was applauding almost each and every statement that he made.
But as soon as the match finished, some of the people joined those listening to Hichilema's campaign message. Uniformed and plain-clothed police officers quickly moved to the ground to provide Hichilema with the necessary security in view of the security alert.
About seven minutes following the end of the soccer match, Hichilema ended his oratory and the national anthem was sung before he headed to the motorcade amid tight security.
In the process, some people mobbed the car in which Hichilema was and asked for money, but the alert police officers pushed them away with threats that they would be arrested if they continued to be unruly.
The police officers, who escorted Hichilema's motorcade across Samfya town up to the Musaila Junction, 10 kilometres away, also advised Hichilema against travelling to Lubwe in Chifunabuli Constituency, where he was expected to address a rally.
The police cited security concerns as the basis for their advice.
And addressing another slightly well-attended rally at Kashikishi Basic School grounds earlier in the day, Hichilema said the poverty situation in Luapula was annoying him because a serious government could address it.
"When the children of Nchelenge have no food and they are not going to school, umutima wandi ulekalipa my heart bleeds," Hichilema said amidst tight police security.
"Look at the water, I am a farmer and I see a lot of water and plenty of power but the people of Luapula are still sleeping on an empty stomach, why? The government has failed to utilise the water so that we can irrigate.
We have got a lot of good soil...I have said I am a farmer, if there are five people in Zambia, I am one of them and now we want to bring cattle here in Nchelenge."
Hichilema reiterated that he was the best man for Zambia.
"We are not saying that ‘if we winí. We want to win on October 30 and we are winning," he said as the crowd punctuated his statement with applause. "When you cast your vote, remember your problems. Remember these children who are not going to school."
He said apart from creating jobs for the many unemployed youths, the UPND wants to ensure that the remuneration in the civil service was improved, including the public service pension regime.
"I want to say on October 30, we must elect not the third best president, not the second best but the best president who can bring development to Luapula Province and Zambia as a whole. That is what we want to do on the 30th of October, elect the best president for Zambia," Hichilema said.
He urged the people of Nchelenge not to vote for old people that had outlived their usefulness and whose main preoccupation was just insulting others.
Hichilema expressed optimism that he was going to do much better in the forthcoming presidential poll in view of the favourable response he was getting around the country.
Labels: HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, SECURITY
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TWN-Africa calls for role analysis of emerging powers
By Kabanda Chulu in Accra, Ghana
Saturday August 30, 2008 [04:00]
TWN-Africa coordinator Yao Graham has challenged countries to analyse the role of emerging powers in Africa's development because their impact might be worse than what the USA and Europe has done to the continent.
And Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC) of South Africa researcher Dot Keet urged African countries to stop accepting neo-liberal concepts because they offer no hope.
And Transnational Institute (TNI) of Netherlands representative Brid Brennan said the current content of globalisation was a remnant of colonialisation.
During the 11th Africa Trade Network review meeting hosted by the Third World Network (TWN) on Thursday, Graham said the world was going towards a multi-polar situation and urged African countries to analyse the approaching dimensions.
"If we leave it open, emerging powers like China and India might do it worse than what others (Americans and Europeans) have been doing, it is true the world is going towards a multi-polar situation which is better than a uni-polar one," said Graham.
"But Africa needs to critically analyse the approaching dimensions and the role which the continent must play or else the big powers will continue exploiting resources at the expense of Africa's economic development."
And Keet said despite being in the middle of instability (global trade crisis and looming economic recession), Africa must not succumb to any neo-liberal concept.
"This is no time to succumb to any power which does not offer hope hence the need to look at home grown and pragmatic solutions," said Keet. "And let us not underplay the role of China and India in this equation because they have been riding on our backs at various forums like the G77+ China, G33+ India."
And Brennan said there was need for the social and progressive movements in developing countries to defeat the whole purpose of unfair trade and globalisation.
"Globalisation is good but the current content is unfair and although Europe is coming to Africa without the Armies (military), the concept is still a remnant of colonialism, which needs to be fought in all forms like the way Latin Americans are doing," said Brennan.
The Africa Trade Network is hosted by TWN in Ghana and it is a consortium of civil society organisations from Africa that normally advocates fair trade and good investment and economic practices.
The 11th ATN meeting was held to clarify and strengthen opposition to economic partnership agreements, unfair global trade practices and interventions required to facilitate linkages and mobilisation of key constituencies and partners.
Labels: SECURITY
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‘Dispatch officers to Angola-Zambia border’
By Lambwe Kachali
Tuesday June 24, 2008 [04:00]
THE parliamentary committee on estimates has called on the government to immediately dispatch officers to Zambia's border with Angola in Shang'ombo district, which is currently manned by one immigration officer. In an interview, committee chairperson Godfrey Beene said among all the borders the committee visited, Shang'ombo border post was the most porous.
Beene, who is currently leading the parliamentary committee that is touring Zambia's border posts, said it was extremely sad that the country was losing a lot of revenue on Shang'ombo border post due to lack of manpower.
He said the situation at the Zambia-Angola border in Shang'ombo left much to be desired.
"So far, we have visited Mwami border, Chanida border between Mozambique and Zambia, Victoria Falls border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and Kazungula border between Zambia and Namibia. All of them are porous but Shang'ombo border post is the worst as it is manned by only one immigration officer. This officer does the patrolling and banking of money collected. He has completely lost touch because he has no transport," Beene said.
He said whenever that immigration officer went to deposit money at the bank in Senanga District, the border had to be closed. Beene further said there was no security at the post where the collected revenue could be kept.
He said since January this year, Shang'ombo border post had been manned by one immigration officer, a situation he described as uncalled for and embarrassing.
"This border could be a threat to national security. Also, a lot of money is being lost.
So far this officer is only able to collect US$300 per month, and when he collects this money, there is no security because he keeps it in his own house or in the drawers at his office, which is very dangerous. Many people, who are going in and out of Zambia do not use the crossing point," Beene said.
"The officer is completely stressed as he has no transport. He has to bank the money using hired transport in Senanga, almost 220 kilometres from Shang'ombo and the road is bad. It is an extremely serious situation which needs immediate attention by government and there should be no excuse."
Beene also appealed to Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) to send officers to the area if the country was to increase its revenue base.
Labels: BORDERS, GODFREY BEENE, SECURITY
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Mpombo urges Zambia, Mozambique security services to strengthen ties
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone
Saturday December 15, 2007 [03:00]
DEFENCE minister George Mpombo has urged the security services of Zambia and Mozambique to strengthen their cooperation through regular interactions at various levels. And Zambia has congratulated Mozambique for the political stability and democracy achieved through holding of regular elections. Speaking at the closure of the first session of the Zambia – Mozambique Joint Permanent Commission on security and defence at Chrismar Hotel in Livingstone on Thursday, Mpombo said that issues of security and defence agreed at the first session must be implemented without delay.
“It is only by doing so that this commission will be appreciated by our people and leaders, and I wish to call the two delegations to explore various way of ensuring that the co-operation between Zambia and Mozambique is nurtured for the benefit of our peoples,” he said.
Mpombo stated that this co-operation should not be restricted to officials at national level but should also apply at lower structures.
And Mozambique national defence minister Tobias Joaquim Dai hoped that the commission’s objectives would be achieved.
“The commission’s objectives will provide the two countries an opportunity to reach a consensus on mutual relationships,” he stated.
According to a communiqué issued at the end of the first session of the meeting the Zambia delegation led by Mpombo also commended Mozambique for the sustained economic achievements which had greatly improved the lives of its people.
The Joint Permanent Commission also commended the government of Zambia and Mozambique for the establishing the Joint Permanent Commission on defence and security.
“The commission expressed confidence that this will enhance the warm and cordial relations existing between the two countries,” the statement read in part.
The commission further commended the efforts of SADC in ensuring sustainable peace in the region by launching the SADC standby brigade last August in Lusaka during the SADC summit.
“Notwithstanding these positive developments the commission expressed concerns over the displacement of civilians resulting from on going fighting between the Democratic Republic of Congo forces and the militias loyal to renegade General Laurent Nkundabatware in the eastern part of that country, the commission pledged to support all international efforts aimed at resolving the issue,” read the communiqué.
The commission further stated that it was becoming concerned over the increasing vulnerability of the Southern African region to the threats of terrorism, illegal migration, human trafficking, drug trafficking and armed robberies.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to the fight against HIV and AIDS and commended the defence and security services of the two countries for putting in place effective programmes intended to combat the scourge.
Labels: GEORGE MPOMBO, MOZAMBIQUE, SECURITY
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