By ANDREW MUKOMA
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has appealed to Zambians living in diaspora to stay away from extremism, crime such as human trafficking and any funding of confusion in countries.
The president said there are reports of some Zambians being involved in funding groups that are destabilising peace in some countries.
Mr Hichilema was speaking when he graced the inaugural Zambians living in diaspora conference in Livingstone yesterday dubbed “shifting mindset to ignite growth.”
He talked of Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo neighbouring with Rwanda and Uganda stating that Zambia is not known for such things.
“I want to make an appeal to you all who are here…let us stay away from extremism, stay away from crimes such as human trafficking. Don’t fund groups that are destabilising countries because we can’t afford conflict. Some of the cases are involving Zambians,” Mr Hichilema said.
President Hichilema has also encouraged all Zambians living in diaspora to register with the mission in their country of residence to have records.
And President Hichilema has assured Zambians in the diaspora that the government was working hard to ensure it unlocks the remittances which have been a problem.
He said that it was clear as indicated by the Zambians living in Diaspora (ZID) president Ferdinand Simaanya that the cost of remittances was too high for Zambians.
Mr Simaanya in his speech pleaded with the government to consider reducing the remittances saying that the cost of remittances in Sub-Saharan was too high compared to Asia and other regions.
He encouraged those in diaspora to be relevant to the welfare of Zambia by being involved in the development and growth of the country.
Earlier, Zambians Promoting Leadership in America president Freda Brazle said the inaugural conference of Zambians living in Diaspora has debunked the myth surrounding their welfare that those in diaspora cannot work together.
Dr. Brazle said that many in the diaspora still have not understood how they can participate in the development of the country. She said the conference gives an opportunity for all Zambians to be part of the development agenda through the created networks.
Dr. Brazle said what is required is only mindset change among Zambians living in the diaspora.
