President Michael Sata yesterday urged countries that attended the Boao Forum for Africa summit to support former Zambian Trades and Commerce Minister Felix Mutati as the next Secretary General (SG) of the Geneva-based UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
Mr Sata made the appeal in his usual bonhomie style before delivering his remarks at the economic summit’s opening ceremony held on the coastal island of Boao south of the Chinese capital Beijing.
He said Zambia for the first time in 50 years was applying for the prestigious UNCTAD position and joked that since the Zambian delegation was the only black delegation it deserved the support of the forums’ participating nations.
Based on the tradition of geographical rotation, the next head of UNCTAD should come from Africa.
At least four applicants from African, including Mr Mutati were lobbying for the high-status job.
The Geneva-based UNCTAD would have a new SG by September.
Foreign media reported that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who is vested with the power to nominate the new UNCTAD chief, heads an opaque selection process where he refuses to even name a short-list of candidates, as with all other senior appointments in the world body.
Mr Ban’s choice was expected to be routinely endorsed by the 193-member General Assembly, which had never rejected a nomination from an SG.
The next SG of UNCTAD, in addition to all the necessary experience, knowledge and management abilities, was expected to have the capacity and courage for independent thought.
The last seven UNCTAD heads were Raul Prebisch from Argentina, Manuel Perez-Guerrero of Venezuela, Gamani Corea of Sri Lanka, Alistair McIntyre from Grenada, Ken Dadzie of Ghana, Carlos Fortin from Chile and Rubens Ricupero of Brazil.
Established in 1964, UNCTAD promotes the development-friendly integration of developing countries into the world economy.
Some of the countries that participated in the forum whose support was lobbied were hosts China, Brunei, Mexico, Peru, Finland, Australia, Algeria and New Zealand.
Good one. Mutati qualifies as a PF sympathiser and secondly his trade and commerce experience. Very politically strategic; Mutati goes and PF wins the seat. Sata is really a politician. This man has no other thought process except political gains.
yea, on the home political front, good strategy! However, on the international stage, “Disaster in the air!!!” What credentials are we talking about???? Just appoint him in Zed!!
People forget that MCS has appointed opposition MPs before so nothing strange here. However I believe there are better candidates in Zambia who have better credentials and wont be such a controversial appointment like Hon Mutati.
Let him go it may help in quickly ushering in a one -party state. Once we have a one party state , it becomes less difficult to identify the failures and enemies. And when you boot them don’t entertain second comings or rebirths like in 1990/1991. Zambia needs to be cleansed of these charlatans and leeches. Let them all congregate in their PF. After all the wheels are already coming off with the mismanagement of the Agriculture sector.
I need some help here, did Hon Mutati apply, or did MCS make the application on behalf of Hon Mutati?
Mutati mambala is a snake & a snitch. That’s why he lost the MMD presidential race, he would have sold the party to PF for a few pieces of silver. This chap has a lot of skeletons in his closet from his time @zesco to his sex scandals and behind the scenes dealings with rural electrification projects. PF have too much dirt on this slippery fellow hence his silence in the recent past, despite the PF’s appalling record on human rights & individual freedoms.
Who has a better CV? Mutati, Situmbeko Musokotwane, Magande, Fundanga? But why a, sorry, bemba?
It was the same even wwith the Kapwepwe woman they got a top job at the UN, it’s all a Bemba thing everyday as though other tribes have no qualified people. One even wonders why he is opposed to Barotseland secceding because from all I can see, he wants a pure Bemba society. As one of the bloggers here has alluded to, the likes of Musokotwane, Magande etc would make better candidates, but why overlook them just because they are not Bemba? Is it not enough that they are Zambians? Anyway, it’s a waste of China, no one in their right frame of mind will vote for Mutati, if this is what the Northern Aliiance Janjaweed has to offer.
It is Fundanga.
Mutati is the right man for the job. He is smart and has global ‘experience’.
What if Fundanga, Magande, Musokotwane did not apply?
You haters, Mutati has the image and just deal with your bitterness. You’re losers on this one.
One wonders who is a Tribalist!
Now one wonders who is a tribalist, Sata or HH!
we foresee a by election..yaba..
this is the way to Go!!!! Government supporting Zambians to get into international organisations. Bravo!!
People you are now confusing some of us. Can someone please answer the question put forward by 1 cnp #5 coz the article says “garners support ” abd i dont see anything that say he was appointed by 1 MCS. The guy applied for the Job and what MCS is just doing is supporting a country man which some of you should learn to do sometimes.
*And* in the above comment
Those talking about Bembas only – are you sure that the other names you have mentioned applied???? If a Bemba wins a Lottery it is nothing to do with the fact that he is Bemba – HE BOUGHT A LOTTERY TICKET!!! Live with it!!!!! Why are we still in the 2nd Century AD???
# 17 Musokonjinga, he is not appointed, he applied as you have said and a country man/head of state is supporting him. Those who do not know should realise that there some positions you cannot get (regardless of the strength of your qualifications) if you do not get a recommendation from your goverment. so I agree with you that some Zambians should learn to support each other.
@ Kankoyo…no need to wonder. You can tell who aTribalist is by appointments one makes. Actions speak louder than words. Its not only Bembas who voted for PF everyone did including self who is not bemba.So when making these appointments to foreign service, Judiciary etc the appointing authority must look at Zambians and not tribe. That way other tribes will feel included in the Governance system of our country. Bembas can not win an election ALONE. They need other tribes.
A Former Minister in ‘the most corrupt MMD government!’
Zambia is slowly being crippled by power hungry Bembas,count how many Parties and how many of those are run by Bembas. Pause for a while,Chiluba stole at will in the name of slash fund and of natola fye.The worst to come will be with this current govt.of Bembas only with their bootlicking cousins
Look at how this clergy man has ruined the MMD wanting to rule, he could not allow other senoir member from other tribe to lead. Now look at MMD in a very precalious and pathetic situation created by this powerhungry Bembas.
Bravo!!!
Bravo!!! it is necessary for the country to take up international leadership positions.
Imwe ba tombolilo talking about bemba this, bemba that, bemba fonyo, bemba pono pono, what is your problem? Why cant you also emulate the so called bembas instead of making irritating noise! Mwabe fimitoto bamambala!
Bemba’s pretence of labeling others as tribalists when in fact every Zambian knows that Sata is Bembalising every post in the nation. I like Felix as a person but certainly not better qualified for the post UNCTAD because there better qualified individuals like Dr Musokotwane, Magande, Dr Yikona, Dr. Yandila or Dr Fundanga to name a few. Owing to their wrong tribe according to the world of Sata they can not be suitable for the UNCTAD post. Pity Zambia loses. Result of level of national presidency.
Typical of under5s, always crying loud but never applying for the jobs. by the way, why only magande and musokwane are being mentioned here? tonga bulls
Ba THE RUMBLER #23 you’ve managed to point out the Clergy man Running a dying party MM. However you’ve deliberately ignored the to say anything about the dying UPND. This is why we are saying you guys just have issues with Bembas and anything that’s not Bemba is perfect in your eyes and you now call whoever supports Bemba as a bootlicker. What’s your own kanshi??? Go and look at your own party which will soon get to its knees rather than busy crying foul in the media. PF is busy campaigning in Kapiri and Lukulu while u guys continue being cry babies. If they were going to Rig the elections do you think they would have been campaigning.
Meant *MMD* in the above comment
This lobbying is none-partisan as the profile of our country will be enhanced. Mutati has the credentials for this job and needs the support of all of us.
Only those with parochial views cannot comprehend this beyond party lines
This lobbying is none-partisan as the profile of our country will be enhanced. Mutati has the credentials for this job and needs the support of all of us.
Only those with parochial views cannot comprehend this beyond party lines
The international community cannot vote for a candidate nominated by a buffoon, Ukwa who is close to Mugabe. Mutati is losing bad and has exposed him as sell out. God is great, exposes cheats.
MMD was right to abash him during the elections of Party President. Mutati & Namugala could have sold MMD to PF.
Those who have read economics and development studies know Raul Prebisch, Can Mutati match these credentials? I am Zambian but Kaleb Fundanga could have been a good candidate.
Country men and women, answer one simple question ” did Fundanga, Musokotwane and Mangande” apply for the position? It is common knowledge that Mangande is a President for a political party, do you think it’s logical for him to apply? I really don’t understand where this hurt for Bembas is taking us, BUT one thing you should appreciate is that they form a majority number in this country if you chose to be democratic and you to win an election befriend Bembas others the only chance you will have is in HELL. President Sata, has appointed from the opposition NOT only Bembas but across the Country. Mutati, is MMD but he chose to support him because he is Zambian and Sata is President of all Zambians NOT PF only, like those small parties who are always full of hurt for Bembas.
Was Mutati not at one point accused of plunder bay the same Sata?
come on! why should everything be reduced to tribe? Dr Fundanga, Dr Musokotwane and whoever did not apply! kindly check your sources! infact, to stand better chances countries only field in one candidate. The president did not need to be bemba to endorse a Zambian! check your facts before you bembalize every job!
i posted two stinkers for some bloggers, LT blocked my comments you are lucky!
@ lamfras, you tribalist have you not read they have included fundanga as well, is fundanga tonga?? deal with your tribalism before you call others tribalist…..
What has Sata to do with Mutati’s ambitions? Sata is merely supporting Mutatai as a Zambian and not on tribal lines! What is wrong with that? Tribalism and name calling will take us nowhere!!! Mutati applied for the post!!! You can also apply if you have the needed qualifications! Your bitterness will kill you!!!!
The only interesting thing about a bemba person is that he is very adaptable and can live on any part of the ‘planet’ with ease! He/she can marry any person regardless of tribe, colour, race or creed! He can do any type of job ranging from manual to top executive jobs in any organisation! He can proudly speak his language any where without feeling ashamed and any person he associates with feels safe and secure! All these characteristrics of a bemba person makes him to be daring and be a risk taker!
I never used to hear bemba language in towns like livingstone, choma, monze, pemba, kalomo, mazabuka, mongu etc! But this time if you dont know the local language for such areas use Bemba or ‘Nyanja’ and you are home and dry!
So bane ninkondo yenu if you hate us!
#41 ba Fimo fimo Pwete mwalanda bwino sana nomba ishana aweh kwena muloleshepo mweh.. Taiweme nangu panono
Inferiority comlex at its best, There are only two tribes in Zambia that practices tribalism and Bemba is not one of them.Everyone knows this fact including you yourself, all you think is tribal, comment tribal, dream tribal, eat tribal, talk tribal, you will die tribalists. what is wrong with supporting your fellow country man, someone who applied for the post. im sure some of you guys have lost weight from september 2011.
Everytime complaining,some of these jobs one has to apply,you don’t just sit and expect to be picked.Secondly,interest,suppose the so called Magandes and Fundangas are not interested?Magande was also supported by govt at one time when he was SG of some world economic forum based in Belgium.Why not support Mutati now.Fundanga was at world bank,Danny Kalayalaya former BOZ D/governor is now at IMF with govt support.The list is endless,why make a mountain out of a nthill now.Losers always think tribalistic
Mutati applied for the Job and he is Qualified kwasila. Sata did not apply for him.He is just lobbying for him to get the post.It comes once in a life time this time a member has to come from Africa,and why not take it as Zambians.
Lets make informed comments here! This is definately good for Zambia by all means. This has nothing to do with PF this and PF that. For the position of UNCTAD Secretary General the candidate seeking to apply needs the backing of the government of his home country, and hence the need for home governement to lobby on his behalf. This is basic Internatinal Relations and all countries and candidates are required to do this. Lets be infiormed before we jump to unecessary conclusions. !!… All the best Mr .Mutati. Zambia supports you all the way.
Good move, Polictics aside, Mutati can represent Zambia well.
Can someone help me understand this sentance. At least four applicants from africa including mr mutati were lobbying for the high status job. Sata never applied for mutati instead mutati applied for this job and sata as a zambia presido he is just supporting the candidature of mutati.Situmbeko musokotwane,magande and fundanga never applied were do bembalish comes in?
Zambia at its best! Some people can’t be objected anymore, its all about tribe, even when someone makes a personal initiative it becomes tribal in Zambia. The problem we have is that we are so comfortable with our little achievements, we can’t think beyond them. Ask your so called Drs to apply for higher Jobs than condemn those who have done so. Think big, and big be open minded. Other tribes can also apply, be an informed person the sky will be our limit. Don’t wait for PF to give you jobs, be adventurous and get jobs outside Zambia, just like we have people from other countries working in Zambia, the world is a global village.
@ Musokonjinga
Munyelo Pwete lishina lyandi ilyapa mutoto, teti mpose nakalya! Viva Mutata for UNCTAD SG!
@ 7 Komboni Dweller and those who think alike. The article says “at least four applicants from African, including Mr Mutati were lobbying for the high-status job”. My understanding is that only Mutati has put his name forward from Zambia . So why are you mentioning Situmbeko Musokotwane, Magande and Fundanga if they are not interested in the post – just because you want to make it a tribal issue? This is becoming too ridiculous.
A republican president who is always rooting only for one tribe, Bembas. The last time another UN job became available, it was a Kapwepwe whom they annointed. Anyway, why even deny the Lozis to seccede if all you do is give jobs to the Northern Alliance Janjaweeds only! This country is doomed.
Of more important concern is the unnecessary COST OF HOLDING BY-ELECTION that would be created.
@1 with that kind of thinking, Zambia is going nowhere.
You might have political differences in your back yard, but on the world stage
you have to fight as one.
What is bonhomie style?
HATERS ARE HURT MORE DAN DOSE THEY HATE. EVEN ON SIMPLE AND STRAIGHT FORWARD THING U WANT 2 MAKE AN ISSUE OUT OF IT. IT N IS ON TRIBAL BASIS BABA.STAND UP AS A MAN AND FIGHT .NOT A SILVER PLATTER .INFACT GETTING UP 1 FROM SLUMBER WON’T WORK. WAKE UP!
@51 Mutale Chikwanda- Your understanding is totally wrong. Dr Situmbeko, Dr Fundanga and Magande equally applied for the post. In any case a country nominates their national who qualifies for the job with other competent personalies from other countries. So far the nomination of Mutati is very weak for its based on tribal and Zambia stands ti lose.
Weldone Mr. President as Zambians we are very slow to lobby for our own and as such we lose out on very important functions. We managed to fill World Bank with Denny Kalayala as for right Kapwepwe at IMF as of right and we believe one high flying ex-CEO at our parastatal will soon fill ADB as of right. Mutati is in a different kettle of fish because he applied for the job and now he needs the support from the africa group and the presido let us also ganner support from the au…all the best Felix…..
LENGA,
There are other candidates from Africa who also need the support of the AU so the chances of Felix pulling through are quite tough and besides the onus is on Ban Moon to nominate his choice to the next AGC for RATIFICACTION. So Felix needs world support especially from the North. Zambia alone is not enough!