Oxfam Southern Africa has called for the immediate stop to all mining activities or strides towards this in the Lower Zambezi National Park.

Oxfam Country Representative Yvonne Chibiya says her Organisation is concerned over the ongoing and highly controversial Lower Zambezi National Park mining saga and has cautioned the Zambian government against proceeding with the project.

Ms. Chibiya has warned that any disruption to this ecosystem could prove disastrous, particularly at a time when the world is battling a climate change crisis.

She said the project not only goes against the Government’s pronounced commitments towards environmental sustainability but also sets negative precedent for Natural Resource Management and Environmental Protection within the New Dawn Government’s industrialization agenda.

Ms. Chibiya said the Lower Zambezi National Park hosts a sensitive ecosystem sustaining a vast amount of biodiversity necessary for environmental sustainability in Zambia and some neighboring countries.

She has since proposed that government Invests in expanding tourism and other productive sectors away from mining and develops a clear-cut Environmental Protection Strategy to safeguard and adequately finance environmental impact response and mitigation efforts within Zambia’s industrialization agenda.

Ms. Chibiya has also noted the need to promote the autonomy of the Zambia Environmental Management Agency as a regulatory body to effectively execute their mandate of managing environmental protection by enforcing all regulations to mitigate negative environmental impacts.

Below is the full statement

For Immediate Release:

OXFAM CAUTIONS ON MOVE TO OPEN LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK FOR MINING ACTIVITY

Oxfam in Southern Africa expresses concern over the ongoing and highly controversial Lower Zambezi National Park (LZNP) mining saga and cautions the Zambian government on the move to proceed with mining activity in the national park. On 31st January 2022, media reports cited the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment as having indicated that the embattled open-pit mining project in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park would go ahead under strict adherence to measures set by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) to mitigate environmental impacts. This follows the Supreme Court’s dismissal of an appeal by civil society organisations in Zambia against the proposed large scale open-pit mining project that has been raging for years.

While Oxfam acknowledges the decision made by the Court of Appeal, delivered by Justice Ngulube on 27th February 2021, to allow for the mining project by Mwembeshi Minerals to proceed, it is immensely concerning that the Government has unilaterally and quickly positioned itself to accept the ruling, forgoing all public outcry and expert caution against the said project. This not only goes against the Government’s pronounced commitments towards environmental sustainability but also sets a negative precedent for Natural Resource Management (NRM) and Environmental Protection within the New Dawn Government’s industrialization agenda.

The Lower Zambezi National Park (LZNP) hosts a sensitive ecosystem sustaining a vast amount of biodiversity necessary for environmental sustainability in Zambia and some neighbouring countries. This region also provides a critical water resource for over 250 million people in the region that depend on the Zambezi River and the surrounding ecosystem for water, fishing, wildlife, agriculture, tourism, forestry, and other livelihood activities. A disruption to this ecosystem could prove disastrous, particularly at a time when the world is battling a climate change crisis. The impacts of climate change are glaringly apparent, with the most recent being the Tropical Cyclone Ana that has devastated the Southern Africa region, particularly Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, including some parts of Zambia.

A report by Investigative Environmental Journalism notes that an independent review of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) done in 2012 and 2014 submitted to ZEMA showcased flaws against the tenets of sustainable development. The intended project violates Zambian national environmental and public health laws as well as international environmental agreements which mitigate against environmental risk management set out in the Equator Principles, as well as standards for mining in protected environments established by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The ZEMA Board disallowed the mining project on similar grounds but was later overruled in judgement by then Minister of Mines, Harry Kalaba, on grounds that the project would create jobs for locals and technologies be employed to mitigate environmental impact.
This saga has highlighted two points of concern namely, ZEMA’s limited autonomy to execute its regulatory functions towards environmental protection due to political influence and conflicting laws that fail to recognize designated land use plans particularly for ecosystem protection. This is a threat to the objectivity, as well as the autonomy of the Environmental Management Regulatory body.

Oxfam also expresses concern over the high dependence on resource extraction for Zambia’s development agenda, evidenced by the new Government’s pronouncements to upscale copper production over 250% in the next decade. Whereas, this may pay back positively in revenue terms, it is worth noting that mining has serious implications on lives, livelihoods, and the environment.

While acknowledging efforts towards environmental protection through the creation of a Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, Oxfam cautions that without commensurate monetary investment to mitigate impacts (only 0.1% of the 2022 National Budget), and a clear-cut strategy for protection of key ecosystems in the country which have been grossly degazetted in past years, all efforts may be futile. Mining, though a strategic sector for Zambia, has historically been cause for environmental and human rights concerns with mining towns in the Copperbelt, Central and North-Western Provinces being key examples of this.

There is a need, therefore, to properly establish natural resource governance best practice for Zambia, governed by adequate laws and policies for beneficial and sustainable mining.
Oxfam remains committed to the call for resource extraction that is sustainable, contributes positively to the development and is instrumental to fighting poverty and inequalities. Within this mandate, we call for the immediate stop to all mining activity or strides towards this in the Lower Zambezi National Park. We wish to re-echo and propose the following for consideration by the Government, through the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development in working with the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment:

1. Government Investment in expanding tourism and other productive sectors away from mining. The Lower Zambezi offers natural renewable resources that can increase employment and revenue generation while contributing to economic, environmental, and social development now and in future.

2. Development of a clear-cut Environmental Protection Strategy to safeguard and adequately finance environmental impact response and mitigation efforts within Zambia’s industrialization agenda. We call to attention various pronouncements by Zambia’s government, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and commitments at the COP26, among others, towards Climate Change mitigation to be reflected in this strategy. We request that the Government also reconsiders the application model for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) towards which all mining projects lawfully contribute, to respond to immediate environmental impacts during the project cycle.

3. Autonomy of the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) as a regulatory body to effectively execute their mandate of managing environmental protection by enforcing all regulations to mitigate negative environmental impacts. It is with utmost dismay that we note the lawful provision allowing a sitting Minister of Mines to overrule the ZEMA Board decision to disallow mining projects. We call for the autonomy of the environmental management body and upholding of decisions lawfully made by the ZEMA Board.

4. Development of a comprehensive Economic-Diversification agenda, within and away from mining. In keeping with the industrialization aspirations of the new government and Africa Mining Vision, a deliberate approach must be fostered to broaden the local economy by ensuring the revenue rents from the mining sector expand other key sectors such as Agriculture, Tourism and Manufacturing. Importantly, the extraction of other strategic and non-traditional minerals. We call for the development of an actionable Industrialization and Diversification Strategy for Zambia that shifts focus from copper extraction and exports and, prioritizes Value Addition and Local Content utilization.
We call on the Government to make positive strides towards prioritizing Environmental Protection and Climate Change mitigation and action on these progressive commitments.

ENDS//
Yvonne Chibiya
Country Representative
Oxfam in Southern Africa (Zambia)

President Hakainde Hichilema has described the just ended 35th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government Summit, as successful.

President Hichilema said this on arrival last evening from Ethiopia, where he attended the just-ended AU Assembly.

The plane carrying President Hichilema landed at the Lusaka ZAF Base at 19 hours. The President was received by senior Government officials, and Service Chiefs.

Meanwhile, President Hakainde Hichilema has called for partnerships between Zambian and Somali businessmen to promote mutual interest.

President Hichilema has told Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo, that Zambia is home to many Somali businessmen hence government’s promotion of partnerships for mutual benefits.

The President said Zambia appreciates efforts of Somali businessmen in contributing to the country.
The Head of State further called for strengthened ties with Somali to help improve the welfare of citizens in both countries.

And President Hichilema thanked Mr. Farmajo for his efforts in managing his country which was embroiled in civil conflict. He wished him well in further uniting his people adding that Zambians and Somali nationals are upbeat of better opportunities. The President said the bilateral meeting between the two leaders is vital as it also helps share experiences.

And, Mr. Farmajo said he wants to bring back strong people to people and government to government ties with Zambia that date back to 50 years. He said his country has made progress of bringing back peace after long civil conflict. The Somali President told President Hichilema that he had been requesting for an invitation for a State visit to Zambia from his predecessor but hoped it can happen soon.

Mr. Farmajo said he wants to visit Zambia because he wants to further strengthen ties especially that Zambia is home to many Somali businessmen. He also congratulated President Hichilema on his election. President Hichilema also held bilateral meetings with Ghana President Nana Akufo Ado and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta. The various bilaterals meetings that President Hichilema held are on the sidelines of the 35th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly.

Police in Lusaka have charged six PF cadres with the offense of proposing violence. The cadres were allegedly involved in electoral malpractices during the just ended Kabwata by-election.

The suspects were using a vehicle that sped off upon being stopped by the police. The vehicle that was being driven by the cadres bashed a Police vehicle and almost run over a Police officer.

Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga stated that the cadres have since been released on Police bond.

“Police have so far charged and arrested the Six Patriotic cadres namely: M/Joshua Matebele Tembo aged 38 of house number 11 Zongwe road in Kamwala South, M /Kasper Bwalya aged 31 of unknown house number in Chawama, M/Jackson Phiri aged 25 of unknown house number in Chawama, M/Titus Kasunga aged 29 of the unknown house in Kamwala south, M/Blessings Mukupa aged 25 of unknown house number in Kamwala South and Lazarous Mwansa aged 29 of Matero Compound for the offense of Proposing Violence,” Mr. Hamoonga stated.

He stated that the cadres have all been released on police bond and will appear in court soon.

Mr. Hamoonga stated that police have further recovered and impounded the Toyota Land Cruiser registration BAT 6157 that had sped off bashing a police vehicle and almost running over a police officer at Ebeneza Polling Station in Chilenje on 3rd February 2022.

Opposition Patriotic Front (PF) Feira Member Of Parliament Emmanuel Tembo has welcomed the decision by the government to allow mining operations to continue in the lower Zambezi National Park.

Mr. Tembo has cited the potential economic benefits that the mining operations will spur in the area which has lagged behind in development for a very long time.

Speaking in a press conference in Lusaka yesterday, Mr. Tembo said that the entire population of Luangwa district including the area chiefs are in support of the decision because they understand that the development will have a positive impact on their lives.

Mr. Tembo noted that government is on record of having affirmed that the mining operations will be conducted under strict adherence to environmental standards based on the latest environmental impact assessment report.

Mr. Tembo said that the proposed mining site is located 40 kilometers away from the Zambezi river hence the arguments by some stakeholders that it is a threat to the environment are baseless.

Speaking at the same event, Luangwa Royal Establishment Foundation Chairperson Joseph Felemenga said that the surrounding districts will also benefit from the project once it takes off.

Mr. Felemenga has called on the government not to listen to propaganda that is being sponsored by a clique of foreign interests some of whom are not even genuine investors.

He has since committed to following up with Mwembeshi resources who are the investors to ensure that they adhere to the environmentally friendly measures in conducting the mining operations as announced by the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment.

President Hakainde Hichilema has held bilateral talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on the sidelines of the 35th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in Addis Ababa.

The closed-door talks were centered around peace, unity, trade, and investment opportunities.

President Hichilema says top on the agenda in their meeting was the shared common values between Zambia and Ethiopia, especially in agriculture.

He adds that the two leaders also discussed matters of peace and unity while fostering trade and investment opportunities for all.

The President expressed optimism that the meeting has opened avenues for a stronger and more robust relationship between the two countries.

He says the aspiration of the two countries is to see that every African country and the globe succeed.

This is according to a posting on President Hichilema’s Facebook page shortly after their meeting.

He has so held closed bilateral talks with African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina.

The President was accompanied by Ministers of Finance Situmbeko Musokotwane and Foreign Affairs Minister Stanely Kakubo.