DRC, Zambia bolster ties

Mon, 19 Feb 2018 09:49:14 +0000

By PRINCE CHIBAWAH

DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila says he is ready to work with Zambia to find solutions to the problems facing the two countries.

And President Kabila said he enjoyed visiting Zambia because he considered the country as his home.

Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Zambia’s First President, Dr Kenneth Kaunda at his residence yesterday, President Kabila said he was in Zambia to further bilateral cooperation with Zambia in various fields.

“I came not only to reinforce the relationship that exists between our two countries, but also  for us to move a step further so that we can continue cooperating in various fields,” Mr. Kabila said.

He said he would continue exchanging notes with President Edgar Lungu on issues affecting the two countries.

President Kabila also said he expected President Lungu to travel to DRC soon.

“We will continue to do that and I expect President Lungu to come to Kinshasa for us to continue from where we stopped yesterday (Saturday),” he said.

President Kabila further revealed that he always looked forward to visiting Zambia because he considered the country his home.

He said people of DRC were going to be disappointed if he left Zambia without meeting Dr Kaunda.

“I can’t go back to Kinshasa without paying you a courtesy call..,” Mr. Kabila said.

Earlier, Dr Kaunda hoped the friendship between Zambia and DRC would continue to grow.

He added that President Kabila’s visit to Zambia was a great experience to the country.

“This friendship should continue to grow. The Bible teaches us that love your neighbour as you love yourself and do to others as you would love them to do unto you,” Dr.  Kaunda said.

Meanwhile, President Kabila left for his country yesterday after concluding his two-day working visit to Zambia.

The plane carrying President Kabila left Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) at 12:23 hours local time.

He was seen off by Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji, Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo and some senior government officials.

Earlier in the day, President Kabila visited the presidential burial site at Embassy Park where he laid wreaths.