Zambia Praises Ramaphosa On AU Appointment

Zambia has praised South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for his ascension to the position of Chairperson of the African Union for the period of 2020.Zambia has also congratulated President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi for being elected as Vice Chairperson of the African Union for 2020.Speaking at the 33rd ordinary Summit for Heads of States and Government, Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji, who is representing President Edgar Lungu, said Zambia will closely work with South Africa to ensure that the continent achieves its aspiration of silencing the guns.Mr Malanji said Mr. Ramaphosa has assumed the position of Chairmanship at a critical period when the African Union is implementing reforms to make it more viable and robust.He also thanked the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for his leadership displayed when he chaired the AU during the period of 2019.And the Summit for the Heads of States officially opened yesterday with a commitment from Member States to silence guns in Africa to enable the continent achieve its lofty development goals.During the Official ceremony , President Ramaphosa said it was important for Africa to ensure political and economic unity, good governance and peace through strengthened integration, industrialization , economic development , trade and investment.And on the AfCFTA , the AU Chairperson emphasized the need to ensure that the continent did not become a dumping ground or for products with minimal African value addition to enter and penetrate the local markets under the guise of intercontinental integrat on.And United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guteres said the UN supported the agenda of Silencing the Guns in Africa in Africa.He said no meaningful development could be achieved in the continent in the absence of peace, stability and security.Mr Guteres further applauded the launch and implementation of the CFTA saying it was an integral part of re-balancing global trade relations.This is according to a statement released to ZNBC News by First Secretary for Press and Tourism at the Zambian Embassy in Addis Ababa , Ethiopia , Inutu Mwanza. Post Views: 2
News Source: ZNBC