By Irvin Muyumbwa
Former Diplomat and Foreign Policy Analyst Kellys Kaunda has justified President Hakainde Hichilema’s international trips arguing that high level interactions are key for the country. President Hichilema has come under attack from some sections of society over the 19 trips which he has undertaken within the 9 months of being in government, when he condemned his predecessor Edgar Lungu for traveling abroad.Mr Kaunda told Millennium Radio that Presidents have a wide mandate to improve trade volumes between countries unlike when ministers are delegated to represent the country.Mr Kaunda says considering recent Memoranda of Understanding signed between Zambia and other countries, shows the importance of Presidents interacting. Mr Kaunda says it is easier for the president to use their wider mandates during high level interactions to resolve problems by issuing instructions to respective ministers unlike delegating the ministers who will still have to go back to the President to consult.Mr Kaunda says debates around the president’s trips will continue for as long as these trips are looked at in a political manner because politicians have self-interest agendas.
