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| President Lungu during his inauguration on Sunday |
Below is the verbatim of his address:
Your Excellency, Chairperson
In the interest of time, May I simply say “All Protocols
Observed”
I wish, from the outset, Chairperson, to express through you, the
deepest gratitude of the Zambian people for the overwhelming support that we
received during the trying period following the death of our late dear President,
His Excellency Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata.
Mr Chairperson,
You, our fraternal African Brothers and Sisters further supported us
during the transition period as the democratic credentials and governance
institutions were put to test. I am pleased to inform this august House that
the just ended presidential by-election in my country, in what was a hotly
contested race, has once again demonstrated the collective resolve of the
Zambian people to ensure that Democracy and Good Governance are firmly
entrenched in our governance system.
In this regard, I would like to take this opportunity, Mr. Chairperson, to thank SADC, COMESA
and indeed the African Union for sending Election Monitoring and Observation
Missions to Zambia. The elections were declared as transparent, peaceful, free,
fair and credible. Zambia continues, therefore, to be privileged to have
demonstrated that it is possible to have peaceful changes of Government, even
for that matter, from one political party to another.
Allow me, at this juncture, to reaffirm Zambia’s commitment to the
ideals of the African Union and also my Government’s readiness to continue to
be fully engaged in the activities of our continental body. I wish to further
state that Zambia will seek to enhance her presence at the continental level
and beyond, by making her voice heard and actively participating in the
programmes of the Union.
On the subject of Agenda 2063, Mr
Chairperson, my Government firmly believes that this is an important
blueprint for the future of our continent and should be fully supported, as a
vehicle for Africa’s development. We need to ensure that the spirit and resolve
contained in this carefully crafted document is fully incorporated into the
Post 2015 Development Agenda process and other global developmental efforts.
It is in the same vein that as a continent, Africa should prioritise
her strategic economic partnerships in order to ensure that they speak to the
African Agenda and that our interests are safeguarded.
Mr Chairperson,
My Government also intends to be more actively engaged in
peace-building and conflict-resolution initiatives on the continent, and
particularly within SADC and the Great Lakes region.
Furthermore, the Ebola virus has clearly demonstrated the need for
our close collaboration in addressing such emerging threats to our social and
economic security. While the pandemic may now be showing signs of decline, the
continent should continue to remain alert and my Government will render support
to the various commendable efforts already being made.
I also wish to express Zambia’s concern with the increasing
occurrences of ruthless attacks and violent tendencies of terrorist groups as
well as the militarisation of extreme faith-based organisations, which is
manifesting itself on the continent of Africa. This matter requires our urgent
and concerted efforts.
Mr Chairperson,
Regarding the reform of the United Nations, I wish to reassure this
Assembly that Zambia will, through her membership of the Committee of Ten, continue
to play her part in ensuring that the process is accelerated. To this effect, I
wish to inform this august house that Zambia will be hosting the next meeting
of the C10.
Mr Chairperson,
In ending my remarks, it would be remiss of me if I did not mention
that my government wholly welcomes our theme for 2015. As measure of our
long-standing commitment to the importance of women to development and their
role in leadership, I wish to confirm to this august House that, in accordance
with the Beijing Platform, immediately following my assumption of office, I
appointed a female Vice-President, Her Honour Mrs. Inonge Mutukwa Wina, M.P.,
the first in the history of my country!
Lastly I wish to reassure you, my Colleagues that Zambia can be
counted on to support the activities and programmes of our continental body in
fulfilment of Agenda 2063.
May God Truly Bless
Africa.
Shukran!
Merci Beaucoup!
Muito Obrigado!
I Thank You!
