Chief Cooma of the Tonga people in Choma district has called for the immediate expulsion of the United States of America (US) Ambassador Daniel Foote from Zambia back to his country.

Speaking to ZANIS in Choma yesterday, chief Cooma said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should send off Ambassador Foote before he causes confusion in the country with his advocacy for gay rights.

The traditional leader said the US envoy should not continue to be in Zambia because he might confuse young Zambians.

He reiterated that Zambia is a Christian nation with values that needed to be respected by everyone residing in this country.

Chief Cooma further observed that the behaviour of Ambassador Foote would mislead the nation if he continued working within.

He wondered where Ambassador Foote was getting the powers of advocating for gay rights when his President Donald Trump is on record condemning same sex marriage in the United States of America.

He said same sex marriage has remained a taboo and shall remain so forever in Zambia.

On Friday last week, Ambassador Foote said he was horrified by the jailing to two Zambian men for homosexuality on November 28, 2019 to 15 years imprisonment by the High Court of Zambia.

The US envoy said, “perhaps, it is time for Zambia to consider its outdated stance and obsolete legislation on how to treat LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) community, and all others considered ‘different’.”

And the Kasama Pastors Fellowship has expressed concern over remarks attributed to U.S. Ambassador to Zambia Daniel Foote where he has questioned the jailing of two gay men by a court to 15 years in prison after they were convicted.

Fellowship Chairperson Pastor William Mutale says that the people of Zambia will never subscribe to alien practices such as same sex marriages.

Pastor Mutale charges that it is sad that the U.S envoy could question the country’s judiciary over the jailing of the gay couple.

“We want to speak to Mr Daniel Foote and to echo the words of our President Edgar Chagwa Lungu that homosexuality has no right in Zambia because it harms us and our reputation as a Christian nation”, Pastor Mutale said.

Pastor Mutale has since challenged Mr Foote to concentrate on his job as an ambassador instead of coming to teach Zambians how to live.

“Homosexuality is not welcome to Zambia, and if he (Foote) feels that it is welcome he has no place in this country”, Pastor Mutale added.

U.S. ambassador to Zambia Daniel Foote has come under fire from some section of society after his recent comment where he described a high court ruling sentencing two men to 15 years in prison for homosexuality as horrifying and harsh.

Ambassador Daniel Foote urged the Government to reconsider laws that punish minority groups.

Copperbelt Patriotic Front Provincial Chairman Nathan Chanda has challenged opposition UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema to state his and party position on homosexuality, despite the fact that the UPND leader is on record to have categorically stated that he does not support same-sex marriage.

Both the UPND and Mr. Hichilema are on record to have publicly said that they do not support same-sex marriages

Despite UPND’s public position, Mr. Chanda said today that he is shocked that Mr. Hichilema has categorically failed to state his and the UPND position on gay rights in a country like Zambia which is a Christian Nation.

The PF Copperbelt boss said the desperation of Mr. Hichilema and his UPND to be in State House is so alarming, shameful, unZambian, unchristian and against the belief which is the preamble of the Zambian Constitution.

Mr. Hichilema revealed that private investors from the US have pledged to invest over US$25.8 billion in Zambia in the first 5 years of his administration.

Mr. Hichilema said in Washington DC at the Woodrow Wilson Centre.

” But we question who these private investors are? We want answers from you sir? We can’t allow you to auction the country, in a similar manner our mines were privatized and only a few benefited immensely by becoming rich overnight. Tell the Zambian people what you went to do and the conditions for the investment from these so-called ‘private investors’. These are questions we want answers from you, sir, go on TV and tell the voters whether you support same-sex marriage” Mr. Chanda asked.

Mr. Chanda has also asked the Church and other civil societies even if some get funds for the same people please come out open on issues of gay rights which are been championed by the opposition leader.

“The Three Church Mothers body silence is so threatening. We have seen some Church come out strong on Bill 10, political violence and other issues. But we are dismayed with the silence on the championing of gay rights by the oppositions.”

“As a Christian nation, we want to ask the Church to openly condemn this championing of gay rights. It is clear in the Bible that marriage is between male and female, lady and gentleman. Now we wonder what Bible the UPND is reading if it supports the championing of the marriage of same-sex. Even animals ‘dogs’ surely know that this one is a male and female,” Mr. Chanda said.

” Let’s be objective and patriotic United Zambians for once politics aside. Just because you want to rule Zambia then you want to allow and support selling out our national, Christian values and culture. Shame on you, ” said Mr. Chanda.

Mr. Chanda urged Zambians to open their eyes and see,  open their ears and hear to these leaders who want to become leaders of Zambia.

“With little power in opposition, some people are behaving like masters and kings what more with instruments of power in their hands. They will come and sell your churches and there will no longer be Christianity in Zambia. For warned is forearmed,” he said.

We will stand with the Zambian people and our President in defending our Christianity, national values and culture

Rainbow party president Winter Kabimba says claims by us ambassador to Zambia Daniel Foote that he has been denied access to State House are unjustified.

Mr. Kabimba says he is personally failing to understand the linkage between donor aid and visitation to state house saying it not a guarantee to enter State House just because Mr. Foote is administering 5 billion of aid.

He says President Edgar Lungu is a busy person and wanting to have an audience with him has to be justified and wondered how many times Zambian ambassador to the United States of America Dr. Ngosa Simbyakula has been given audience by Donald trump.

He recalled that President Lungu during the UN assembly was only accorded an opportunity to meet two junior officers from the state department, not even did he get a chance to meet the secretary of state while Mr. Foote wants to be treated at the level of President Edgar Lungu.

“Ambassador Foote wants to be at the level of President Edgar Lungu just because he is administering 5 billion of aid. If ambassador Foote is saying look, I had a lot of important issues that I wanted to discuss with the president that’s why I wanted to see him,  but to justify his visitation just because he is carrying a bag of 5 billion dollars, no bwana!” Mr. Kabimba said.

Mr. Kabimba said donor aid could also be used to punish poor countries hence the need for self-sustainability through handwork and increased productivity.

“Western countries have used donor aid for regime change because they will starve you to death until people riot on the streets to get the government out. Don’t we read history to see what is happening in the world?” he questioned.

Mr. Kabimba was speaking Tuesday morning when he featured on the burning issues program on 5 FM radio.

President Edgar Lungu says the Zambian people will in 2021 rate the performance of his administration and make a decisive decision whether to let it continue ruling the country or not.

And President Lungu has reiterated his administration’s resolve to initiate the much-desired development across the country.

He adds that his administration has initiated numerous investment opportunities in the country which when well harnessed, can change the economic outlook of the country forever.

ZANIS reports that President Lungu said this at a rally held at Talai and Chipundu villages in Milenge District today, for the December 5th, Milenge Council Chairperson by-election which has been necessitated by the death of the incumbent Chairperson Fidelis Chanda.

President Lungu points out that he desires to see more investments in various sectors of the economy, adding that he will always be at hand to facilitate the rolling out of projects for investment in all districts across the country.

“Government has initiated a lot of development everywhere, in Milenge District people are able to see what we are doing, for example, communication facilities have been installed in the district which was not the case before, electricity is here in Milenge and many more viable projects are underway”, he said.

He encouraged electorates in the district to vote for the PF candidate, in order to hasten development in the district.

The Head of State further stressed that the road network in the district requires urgent attention to boast development.

And Luapula Province Minister Nickson Chilangwa has praised the PF administration for massive developmental projects being undertaken in Luapula Province, adding that Milenge district in particular, has tremendously transformed from the time the party came into power.

Minister of Health and campaign manager for the Milenge campaigns, Chitalu Chilufya said his ministry is working on improving health provisions in the district, through the construction of mini-hospitals, with necessary medical equipment and adequate health personnel.

Minister of General Education David Mabumba said several Primary schools in Milenge districts have been upgraded to Secondary schools for easy access to education by all the youths in Milenge.

“We have even reduced school fees and allowed parents to pay fees inform of farm produce so that no parent fails to send a child to school owing to lack of funds.

At the same function, nominated Member of Parliament Raphael Nakachinda, who is part of the presidential entourage in Milenge, told the audience that government has exhibited unprecedented development in its few years tenure of office and called on the people of Milenge and all Zambians to give the party another mandate beyond 2021.

And Chanda Masheke the PF candidate has assured President Lungu that he will win the Milenge Council Chairperson seat with a handsome margin and urged the people to vote in masses on December 5th, 2019.

PF Secretary General Davies Mwila promised that his party will conduct peaceful elections.

President Lungu has been in Milenge for a two-day working visit to drum up support for the PF candidate Chanda Masheke, in the forthcoming Milenge Council Chairperson by-election.

Students Unions in Zambia have called on Government to consider deferring the second reading of the Constitution of Zambia Amendment Bill No. 10 of 2019 to allow the public to study the final report of the Parliamentary Committee which was considering the Bill.

Speaking on behalf of the Unions, Zambia National Students Union Vice President Steven Kanyakula said the students’ body has been interacting with members of parliament from both the opposition and ruling political parties who have indicated the Report has addressed concerns of concerns of both those have been against the Bill and those in favour of the Bill.

ZANASU calls on Government to postpone the enactment of the Bill to allow the public access to this Bill and to engage each other on the way forward.

“As we call for postponement of the tabling of this Bill, but not the withdrawal, we call on Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon Patrick Matibini to immediately publish the Report of the Committee which should be used for engagement among different sides who have a problem with the current Bill. The two sides must be allowed an opportunity to see whether the Report has taken views of everyone into account.”

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The students have further counsel Civil Society Organisations who share conflicting views to show leadership and sit down and reconcile their positions before the Bill can be enacted.

Meanwhile, the students have charged that the US Ambassador to Zambia, Daniel Foote, overreacted on the sentencing of two persons convicted of homosexuality to 15 years in prison

“This country also has stiffer penalties for drug-related crimes and many are serving these sentences. What the Ambassador should have noted is that all sexual offences in Zambia, including rape and defilement carry the minimum sentence of 15 years under our laws and the practice of homosexuality should not be different unless we as Zambians decided to amend our laws,” said Mr Kanyakula.

The students have charged that 99 percent of Zambians are averse to the practice of homosexuality because of the strong family values, religious beliefs, cultural and traditional norms accepted by the Zambia society and the USA should respect the laws of Zambia just as Zambian citizens in the US must respect the laws of that country.

“We believe that just as Zambia has no right to impose its values or manner of doing things on the USA, the USA has no justification to do so. Zambia and the United States of America must continue to enjoy good relations based on mutual respect for each other’s values, rules and laws,” he charged.

The 20th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) has officially opened in Kigali with President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame calling for strong political leadership and enhanced health systems in order for Africa to free herself from AIDS.

President Kagame said the fight against AIDS requires solidarity and continued dialogue so that issues of stigma are dealt with.

Mr. Kagame, who was accompanied by Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi, said the existence of ICASA should enable Africa breakdown taboos and challenges surrounding HIV/AIDS.

He said it was vital that efforts to raise support towards securing resources for sustainability are intensified in Africa.

The Rwandan Head of State has meanwhile commended the continued engagement of Global Fund, GAVI and other international partners sponsoring research and related works in the area of HIV.

President Kagame has further underscored the need for strong national health systems so as to meet the current and future needs of people on the continent.

He noted that effective systems and proper infrastructure enabled HIV services reach communities easier.

President Kagame also called on communities to trust health care providers and services offered so that it can be easier to monitor and provide the much needed support.

He further stressed the need for good political leadership which can inspire the drive to combat the disease.

The Rwandan President pointed out that there was no substitute for building a caring society if structures and key factors capable of transforming the continent’s gains to build resilience against HIV and other diseases are overlooked.

And World Health Organization Director General Tedros Ghebeyesus praised Rwanda for being a model in Africa in terms of implementing a number developmental goals.

Dr. Ghebeyesus commended the country for being the first on the continent to achieve the 90-90-90 target in the area of HIV which he said was incredible.

He called on the whole continent to pursue more aggressive workable solutions if AIDS is to end by 2030.

Dr. Ghebeyesus stated that the 37.9 million people currently infected by HIV worldwide require interventions that will see their lives prolonged and new infections stopped.

The WHO chief reiterated his organisation’s commitment to working with governments on the continent to combat the disease.

Earlier, Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) president John Ijoko urged the continent to focus their attention on young people as they were the future.

Professor Idoko said whilst the current results by UNAIDS show that Africa had made progress in slowing down the virus, domestic financing and innovations still remain critical to eliminate the virus in Africa.

The ICASA conference opening ceremony, which was attended by first ladies from Botswana, Benin, Rwanda, Niger, ministers of health of African governments and dignitaries, was characterised by colourful performances by the local youths.

The conference, whose theme is, ‘AIDS Free Africa; innovation, community and political leadership, is running from December 2nd to 7th 2019 in Kigali and over 8,000 delegates have gathered for the Indaba.

President Edgar Lungu has implored the electorates in Milenge district to vote for the Patriotic Front (PF) candidate Chanda Masheke so as to ensure development to the area.

Drumming up support for Mr. Masheke in Luela, Mulumbi and Kafwanka areas of Milenge east, President Lungu said government has developed the area especially in the education and health sectors with the latest notable development being electrification of the district.

“My government has electrified Milenge east, the district administration area and even this place will be electrified as can be seen with the poles and cables that have been erected and put in place through the rural electrification authority,” he said.

Speaking ahead of the November 5th Milenge District Council Chairperson by-elections, President Lungu, who earlier used the rough road leading to Luela to kick-start the campaign trail, pledged to work on the key roads linking to the district.

The Head of State, who was flanked by Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya, Luapula Province Minister Nickson Chilangwa and other party officials, assured electorates that government will fulfil its promises.

He said the people of Milenge had demonstrated loyalty worth the reward for supporting the ruling party during past elections.

He pointed out that Milenge district and other areas that had lagged behind deserved to have a fair share of development which was indiscriminately spread out to other regions such as Southern province.

And the aspiring candidate, Chanda Masheke, pledged to meet the electorates’ expectations of delivering on developmental goals once voted into office.

Speaking earlier, PF General Secretary Davies Mwila urged electorates not to be swayed by other politicians seeking office whom he said would promise what they are unable to fulfil.

Other politicians on the campaign bandwagon were nominated Member of Parliament Raphael Nakachinda, Zambia Republican Party President Wright Musoma who also urged the voters in Milenge to rally behind the PF candidate.

According to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) 2016 poll statistics, Milenge District has 13 wards, 33 polling stations and 18,466 registered voters.

ZANIS/ ENDS/DN/KSH………………………….DRY