Mulambo Haimbe appointed new Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
On Saturday 15 June, Mulambo Haimbe spoke to Voice of America’s Peter Clottey after President Hakainde Hichilema appointed him to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Haimbe is a lawyer and parliamentarian, who previously held the post of Minister for Justice.
Clottey asked Haimbe how the administration plans to use diplomacy to ensure regional stability, peace, and security in the Southern African region.
Haimbe responded: “the vision really is consistent with that which President Hichilema has made absolutely clear to the whole world, from the time we assumed office. Our is anchored on economic diplomacy with the added twist, shall I say, of looking at development - economic and social development for our people – to bring jobs, to bring the numerous benefits that economic diplomacy (which is properly managed) can bring.”
Speaking about the steps which the government aims to take to actualise this vision and turn it from an ethos to material policies, Haimbe said, “I’ll give you a few concrete examples. We have had very close relations with various like-minded nations…currently, the President of Zambia is the chairperson of the organ on politics, defence, and security. This role has allowed for his excellency to play a critical part in bringing stability to the region.”
Addressing the hostilities ongoing in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique, he continued: “my role as Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is to anchor the efforts of the Southern region in trying to bring those hostilities to a close.”
Haimbe elucidated on the work on the Lobito Corridor, for which Zambia is partnering with the US and the private sector in the US, explaining: “it is a corridor for trade joining Angola, Zambia and the DRC. Again, the idea is to bring trade and investment at the highest possible level using this particular corridor so that goods, services and people form the US who want to partner and work with us, have a clear pathway by which to do so.”
He described his role now as an implementor, after the approval of the preliminary legal framework.
Haimbe went on to point to initiatives which have been put in place from a diplomatic perspective – for example, the Rwanda peace process led by the President of Angola.
He said, “these diplomatic processes aim at bringing parties to the table, to find an ultimate solution to the destabilisation we have seen due to conflict. This is another crucial role that we as a sister country must play.”
Cottley concluded the interview by asking about how the Zambian government will ensure that democracy and the rule of law both remain stable and ensure peace in the region.
Haimbe explained that Zambia is part of a larger regional partnership, the South African Development Community (SADC), which strives to promote sustainable and equitable economic growth together with durable peace and security, so that the region emerges as an effective player on the international diplomatic stage and economy.