President Lungu calls for stronger ties among African countries

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says African Countries need to rise above divergent and conflicting views and prioritise the unity and progression of the continent at large.

Addressing African members of the diplomatic corps in Zambia at State House today, President Lungu noted that rather than castigating or shunning each other, African countries needed to encourage each other as well as provide checks and balances to steer respective nations towards higher level of political, economic and social progress in tandem with the AU agenda 2063.

“The presence of your governments, through your individual missions, in Zambia is a true reflection of the commitment by your respective governments to ensure that these relations are nurtured and accrue meaningful benefits,” President Lungu said.

He observed that he would love to see more interactions by ambassadors and high commissioners as well their frequent contact with relevant government institutions.

President Lungu told the diplomats to consider themselves a priority as compared to the rest of the world.

“There is need to attend to issues within our own home, which in our case is the African Continent, There is a lot that we can achieve as African Countries,” he observed.

President Lungu said in his new five year mandate his government would work closely with African countries in order to maximise opportunities.