First Diaspora Conference Was held in 2019
By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba
I am always amazed at the claims by President Hakainde Hichilema who usually has a precursor statement; “This is the first time it’s happening in or to Zambia”.
Of concern is the media that doesn’t bother to reflect background or demonstrate the assertions as true but collude to perpetuate the false assertions.
President Hakainde Hichilema was in Livingstone to officiate at the Diaspora Conference which was touted as the first Diaspora Conference in Zambia.
On 4th April, 2019, Zambia held its first Diaspora Conference at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.
The event was launched by Vice President Hon. Inonge Wina, Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Malanji and International Organisation for Migration Chief of Mission Marianne Lane with members of the Diaspora.
The event was also used to launch the new Diaspora Policy. The Conference attracted representation from leaders and members of associations of Zambians living abroad.
This was followed up by the opening of Diaspora Coordinating Desk at Zambia’s Embassies and Missions abroad in December 2019.
Similarly the visit of the Italian President, His Excellency Sergio Mattarella might have been given by reflecting on Zambia’s historical relationship especially in the critical sector of energy and Italy’s special role in the financing and construction of Tanzania Zambia Mafuta(TAZAMA) pipeline, Zambia Tanzania Haulage (ZAMTAN) and Indeni Refinery.
Italy helped save Zambia at a difficult period when Zambia was locked out of its sea route and ports in Lobito Bay, Beira and Durban after the Unilatetal Declaration of Independence by the Ian Smith regime in Southern Rhodesia.
It is for this reason that Mattarella started his visit with Mozambique, and praised energy cooperation between the two countries, which came ahead of the opening of an offshore gas multi-billion project run by Italian energy giant Eni in Mozambique’s insurgent-hit Cabo Delgado in the North.
So everytime I hear the word “First” I know this requires verification and may not be true.