Deputy Secretary-General Ojiambo was received in audience by the Vice-President of Zambia, HE Inonge Wina, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon Dr Patrick Matibini and the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Vincent Mwale.
Deputy Secretary-General Dr Josephine Ojiambo undertook a visit to Zambia from 26-27 February 2017. The visit was an opportunity for DSG Ojiambo to convey the Secretary-General Rt. Hon Patricia Scotland’s good will message to the government and people of the Republic of Zambia, discuss areas of possible Commonwealth support and collaboration, as well as brief senior state official on preparations for upcoming Commonwealth events, including the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
DSG Ojiambo was received in audience by the Vice-President of Zambia, HE Inonge Wina, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon Dr Patrick Matibini and the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Vincent Mwale. DSG also held several meetings with a wide range of stakeholders including the Electoral Commission of Zambia, the leader of the main opposition political party, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, the Archbishop of the Catholic Church, some civil society organisations, the European Union, the United Nations and the Commonwealth Diplomatic Corps, among others.
The Government and other stakeholders expressed gratitude for the Commonwealth’s support to Zambia, especially in the context of last year’s general elections and the positive contribution made by Professor Ibrahim Gambari in his capacity as the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s envoy on political dialogue. Other areas of discussion and possible collaboration included the areas of social and political cohesion, support to the judiciary and legislative drafting, engagement on the way forward for the Bill of Rights and forced and early child marriage.
