RB CALLS FOR PEACE, DIALOGUE AMONG AFRICAN COUNTRIES

From Victor Hachimbi in Cairo, Egypt

President Rupiah Banda

President Rupiah Banda has called on African countries to embrace dialogue and peace, if the continent has to develop both politically and economically.

Mr. Banda says Africa is a blessed continent with a lot of resources but could only develop, if peace and harmony is embraced by everyone.

ZANIS reports that the President was speaking in an interview in Cairo, Egypt yesterday.

“We have wasted a lot of time fighting which is unnecessary, Let us use this time to dialogue and together we can propel Africa to a higher level,” he said.

On the meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak in Cairo, Mr. Banda disclosed that the meeting focused on building peace in Africa and developing its economies.

He said he was confident that the confusion surrounding the signing of an agreement on the Nile Basin Common Framework will soon be resolved because all the countries sharing the Nile River are ready to dialogue.

Mr. Banda said President Mubarak assured him that he was ready to dialogue with all the countries sharing the Nile River to find a lasting solution to their differences.

The President said the two also discussed how Egypt could play a role in harmonising peace in Sudan as the country goes to the referendum next year.

On the issue of Ivory Coast disputed election results, Mr. Banda said the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has all the wise people who will find a lasting solution to the problems in that country.

Mr. Banda who is the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security cooperation said there was no bigger problem that Africa could fail to resolve.

However, the President said he was impressed with a number of African countries including Zambia who want to develop their economies and infrastructure.

Mr. Banda also said he was impressed with the determination of the people of Egypt in developing their country.

He said Zambia should emulate the spirit of hard work from the people of Egypt, if the country has to achieve economic and social development.

The President is in Egypt for a State visit at the invitation of his Egyptian counterpart, Hosni Mubarak.

Mr. Banda is accompanied to Egypt by First Lady Thandiwe, Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kabinga Pande, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Felix Mutati, Minister of Energy and Water Development Kenneth Konga and other senior Government officials.