Zambia : Zambia Must Protect its Democratic Values: Ambassador Mwamba Urges Ahead of Summit for Democracy

Zambia is set to co-host the 2nd Summit for Democracy on 29 and 30 March 2023 along with the United States, Costa Rica, the Netherlands and South Korea. The virtual summit will attract participation from over 100 countries with citizen participation. Society and the private sector.

Ahead of the summit, former Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Am. Emmanuel Mwamba has expressed his concern ahead of the upcoming Summit for Democracy that the United States is co-hosting with Costa Rica, the Netherlands, South Korea and Zambia. The virtual summit will attract participation from over 100 countries, and Zambia will host the event by inviting guests to hybrid meetings. Civil society and the private sector will also have separate meetings and discuss a prepared document, “Call to Action, Engaging Civil Society and the Private Sector to Advance Democracy.”

In a recent interview, Amb. Mwamba shared his concerns about the foreign policies of the United States, particularly President Biden’s approach on foreign relations, which he believes, among other policies, is promoting mainstream and foreign relations. and to center LGBTQ+ rights in foreign aid. On 5 February 2021, President Biden signed a foreign policy memo placing the US ‘at the forefront’ of global LGBTQ+ rights. The Memorandum on Advancing the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Persons Worldwide directs U.S. agencies working abroad to “ensure that United States diplomacy and foreign assistance are directed toward LGBTQ+ individuals.” promote and protect the human rights of

Amb. Mwamba expressed concern that as Zambia hosts the summit and receives Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the United States of America, it is imperative that the country does not compromise on its cherished national principles and values. “It is essential that we maintain our cultural and traditional values ​​as we interact with the international community. We need to ensure that we are not being forced to do things that go against our values. Are.” He called on Zambians to take an interest in the summit and ensure that only the good values ​​of the country are promoted and protected.

On the other hand, Justice Minister Mulambo Hambe believes that co-hosting the second Summit for Democracy on 29 and 30 March 2023 is essential for the development of democracy in Zambia. Mr. Hambey emphasized that the summit would reinforce the efforts being made by the government to ensure the principles of democracy.

“President Hakinde Hichilema has made great strides in establishing democratic principles such as the rule of law and constitutionalism,” he said in a recent interview. Mr. Hambey revealed that Zambia was chosen to co-host the Democracy Summit on the basis of good governance that the country continues to enjoy. “Zambia has been a beacon of democracy, as evidenced by the peaceful transition of power from one ruling political party to a new one following democratic elections,” he said. Zambia has enjoyed a long period of peaceful changes of governments spanning decades.

“Adherence to constitutionalism and the rule of law has contributed significantly to the deepening of the democratic process,” Mr Hembe said. “Under the leadership of the new dawn, the roots of democratic principles and the way we as a nation relate and govern the affairs of the country are gratifying.”

Mr. Hambey also emphasized that democracy is under threat around the world. “Hosting the second Summit for Democracy will help promote and restore the ideals of democracy,” he said. “What many may not have realized is that democracy is under threat around the world, and it is important for Zambia to play a role as we try to bring democracy back to the world stage.”