ZAMBIA-TANZANIA HOLD FIRST SESSION OF JOINT PERMANENT COMMISSION ON DEFENCE AND SECURITY
Zambia and Tanzania held the First Session of the Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security (JPCDS) from 6th to 9th February 2023 in Lusaka Zambia.
The Zambian delegation was led by Ambrose Lufuma, Minister for Defence as well as other senior government officials while the delegation from the United Republic of Tanzania was led by Honorable Innocent L Bashungwa, MP, Minister for Defence and National Service as well as other senior government officials.
The Commission expressed gratitude to their Excellencies, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, and Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, for allowing the two delegations to hold the 1st session of the JPCDS.
The Commission paid glowing tribute to the founding fathers, the late Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda the first President of Zambia and late Mwalimu Julius kambarage Nyerere the first President of Tanzania.
In this regard, the Commission acknowledged the establishment of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority and Tanzania-Zambia Mafuta, which to-date binds the two countries.
In addition, the Commission acknowledged the signing of the memoranda of understanding on Co-operation in Defence and Implementation Agreement on Exchange of Directing Staff at Military Academies, as well as Tourism, which was signed during the State visit by President Hakainde Hichilema to the United Republic of Tanzania in August, 2022.
The Commission also noted the continued collaboration of the two countries by the establishment of the Nakonde/Tunduma boarder and noted that effort requires to be made by both governments to decongest the boarder.
This further includes expanding and upgrading of infrastructure at the one stop boarder post and creation of the by-pass roads as well as construction of customs hoarding area on the Zambian side.
The Commission also observed with concern the growing threat of terrorism which was mainly being facilitated by other transnational crimes, such as illegal migration and human trafficking and noted that if left unchecked, may negatively affect the socio-economic well being of people of the two countries.
The Commission, therefore, implored both countries to enhance measures and strengthen capacities aimed at addressing the scourge.
This meeting was held in an open and friendly atmosphere, indicative of the excellent bilateral relations that exist between the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Zambia.
