ZAMBIA and Djibouti have pledged to deepen bilateral and multilateral relations and cooperation.

Presenting his Letters of Credence to the President of Djibouti, His Excellency Ismail Omar Guelleh, His Excellency Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba said Zambia recognises that Djibouti holds one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes of the world and plays a key role in promoting trade and commerce.

Mr. Mwamba stated that His Excellency President Edgar Lungu had placed emphasis on economic diplomacy and the diplomatic role of Djibouti was paramount to Zambia and Africa.

And President Ismail Guelleh said he was looking forward to visiting Zambia.

He said he last visited Zambia in 2007 and spent time at the Victotia Falls.

He also said Africa continues to take pride in Zambia’s first President and pioneer of the Organization of the African Unity(OAU) and now African Union(AU), Dr. Kenneth Kaunda.

He wished Dr. Kaunda good health and continued long life.

Earlier Mr. Mwamba held a meeting with Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf where they discussed aspects of deepening bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Mr. Youssouf said Djibouti appreciated the role Zambia played in SADC and the African Union.

He said Zambia was a peaceful and model country that was bringing new ideas and fresh dynamics to the development of the continent through COMESA and other multilateral institutions.

He further hailed Zambia’s Tourism sector that many African countries, including Djibouti would pick lessons from.

This is according to a press statement, Mrs. Inutu Mupango Mwanza, First Secretary (Press and Tourism) in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia.

ZAMBIA’S Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative, His Excellency Emmanuel Mwamba is in the State of Djibouti to present Letters of Credence for his accreditation on behalf of His Excellency President Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

Mr. Mwamba started the process by meeting Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister, His Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.

Mr. Mwamba is expected to meet the President of Djibouti, His Excellency Ismaïl Omar Guelleh.

Mr. Mwamba is accredited to Ethiopia, Somali, Sudan and Djibouti.

He is also the Permanent Representative tothe African Union(AU) and to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)

This is according to press statement issued by Mrs. Inutu Mupango Mwanza,
First Secretary (Press and Tourism).

SOUTH African Ambassador to Spain, Thenjiwe Mthinso, says Zambia’s First Republican President Dr Kenneth Kaunda played a critical role in the liberation struggle of her country.

Speaking during the Political /Liberation Heritage Virtual Dialogue televised live on SABC and monitored by the Zambian High Commission in South Africa, Ambassador Mthinso said Dr Kaunda was at pains to unite the liberation movement.

She said Dr Kaunda was committed to ensure the African National Congress (ANC )and Pan Africanist Congress (PAC )united as the division that existed had weakened the struggle of the liberation movement.

Ambassador Mthinso, who was also one of the veteran members in the liberation struggle and uMkhonto we Sizwe, added that Dr Kaunda had acknowledge that Zambian’s freedom was meaningless if its neighbours were not liberated.

She said Zambia housed the headquarters of the ANC and established refugee camps while land was given to them to produce food during the struggle.

And Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Major General Jackson Miti, said it was good that Dr Kaunda’s role during the liberation struggle was being appreciated.

Maj Gen Miti said Zambia and South Africa will continue to enjoy good bilateral relations as both countries have shared rich history.

This is according to a press statement issued by Mrs Naomi Nyawali, First secretary Press and Public Relations at the Zambia High Commission South Africa.