‘Zambia believes in independence of the judiciary’

Thu, 22 Jun 2017 11:12:59 +0000

By KALOBWE BWALYA

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu will not interfere in the judicial process involving opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema in the courts of law, Zambia’s Charg’e‘d affairs to the United States of America in Washington DC Joseph Chilaizya has said.

Mr Chilaizya has assured the United States government that Zambia will endeavor to uphold the rule of law in the governance system of the country.

Mr Chilaizya said Zambia has taken interest to learn from the US system of governance where the executive, legislature and judiciary were allowed to operate freely without any undue interference.

Mr Chilaizya’s comments came in the wake of concerns raised by U.S department of state outgoing Desk Officer for Zambia and Lesotho Janice Corbett regarding the UPND leader’s court case, during a courtesy call by the incoming US department of state desk for Zambia and Lesotho Carmelia Macfoy and incoming Zambian embassy in Lusaka deputy political and economic chief Braddon Wilson at the Zambian embassy.

“The Zambian government believes in the rule of the law and separation of powers. The President does not interfere in judicial or law enforcement agencies process, Mr Hichilema is s suspect and the President only has authority over convicted people where he has powers to pardon convicts.

“President Lungu stands firm to uphold the tenets of democracy. This is what the US government also believes in, unlike the discourse we are hearing where President Donald Trump’s administration is being accused of interfering with law enforcement agencies. And President Lungu does not want to find himself in a position where he has been accused of interfering with live cases,” said Mr Chilaizya.

Mr Chilaizya further said Zambia looks forward to working with President Trump’s administration in fostering bilateral relations with the USA and he told the US department of state that as President Trump completes appointments of members to government, Zambia looks forward to the release of the US Africa policy and in particular that for Zambia.