Zambia Strengthens Bilateral Relations at 6th AU Mid-Year Coordination Meeting

Hon. Mulambo Haimbe SC, M.P, Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, held a series of bilateral meetings with key African counterparts on the margins of the 6th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union.

Hon. Haimbe’s discussions with Her Excellency Ms. Thérèsa Kayiwamba Wagner, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and the Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), reaffirmed the warm and cordial relations between Zambia and the DRC. Both Ministers emphasized the importance of continued close collaboration to further strengthen these ties.

In a separate meeting, Hon. Haimbe conferred with Hon. Frederick Shava, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe. They exchanged views on mutual interests and discussed mutual support for their countries’ candidatures in international organizations.

Hon. Haimbe also met with Hon. Lejone Mpotjoana, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations of Lesotho. Their productive discussions included candidatures in international organizations, with Hon. Mpotjoana praising Zambia for hosting the successful 26th SADC Ministerial Committee of the Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation in Lusaka from 11th to 12th July 2024.

Additionally, Hon. Haimbe engaged in talks with His Excellency Dr. Peya Mushelenga, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of Namibia. They discussed enhancing bilateral ties and collaboration at multilateral levels.

On the sidelines, Hon. Haimbe conferred with Hon. Albert Shingiro, Minister of External Relations and International Cooperation of Burundi. 

They acknowledged the long-standing cooperation between Zambia and Burundi, highlighted by the recent Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation, which resulted in five new agreements to boost trade and investment. 

Hon. Haimbe also mentioned that President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia looked forward to handing over the Chairmanship of the COMESA Authority to President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi during the upcoming COMESA Summit on 31st October 2024 in Bujumbura, Burundi.

Hon. Haimbe is leading the Zambian delegation to the 6th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union, set for 21st July 2024.

4o