Zambia Government: Rebukes EU Parliament Resolution on Institutions

• Zambia's government, through Foreign Affairs Minister Mulambo Haimbe, criticized an EU Parliament resolution from July 6, 2023, as premature and factually unfounded.
• The resolution, concerning opposition leader Raphael Nakacinda, was deemed by Zambia to undermine the independence of its Judiciary, National Assembly, and law enforcement agencies.
• The Zambian government affirmed its commitment to the rule of law, good governance, human rights, and democratic principles since August 2021.
• Zambia asserted its sovereignty, stating it would not tolerate interference in its internal affairs, and urged the EU Parliament to engage through diplomatic channels based on mutual respect.
• Despite the criticism, Zambia expressed openness to constructive dialogue and a desire to strengthen its relationship with the EU on shared values.

The Zambian government firmly asserted its status as a sovereign state, declaring that it would not tolerate interference in its internal affairs.

The Zambian government has issued a strong rebuke to the European Parliament, the European Commission, and all international cooperating partners, urging them to respect the operational independence of the nation's constitutionally mandated institutions. Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Mulambo Haimbe articulated the government's profound dismay regarding a resolution adopted by the EU Parliament on July 6, 2023.

The resolution, titled "Resolution on Zambia, notably the case of the arbitrarily detained opposition leader Raphael Nakacinda," was passed during the 10th session of the EU Parliament. Minister Haimbe characterized the `Zambia government EU Parliament resolution` as both "premature" and lacking factual basis, asserting that it was predicated on unverified information.

Minister Haimbe underscored that the EU Parliament's resolution directly `undermined the independence` of Zambia's critical constitutional bodies, specifically citing the Judiciary, the National Assembly, and various law enforcement agencies. He emphasized that the government, since taking office in August 2021, has consistently demonstrated a steadfast commitment to upholding the rule of law, promoting good governance, safeguarding human rights, and adhering to democratic principles.

This commitment is evidenced by concrete steps taken to bolster democratic institutions and advance human rights within the country. The `Foreign Affairs Minister Zambia EU` statement highlighted that the government has actively engaged with diverse stakeholders, including the European Union, on these crucial matters. He reaffirmed that Zambia's government respects the autonomy of its judicial and other independent institutions and will not interfere with their operations, reinforcing the principle of `Zambian constitutional institutions independence`.

The Zambian government firmly asserted its status as a sovereign state, declaring that it would not tolerate interference in its internal affairs. Minister Haimbe called upon the EU Parliament to honor Zambia's sovereignty and to engage with the nation through established diplomatic channels, advocating for interactions founded on mutual respect.

While expressing `Zambia EU relations criticism` regarding the resolution, the government reiterated its openness to constructive dialogue and its dedication to strengthening its relationship with the European Union. This partnership, he stressed, should be built upon shared values and principles. The `Mulambo Haimbe EU statement` concluded by affirming Zambia's ongoing commitment to fostering peace, stability, and development both within its borders and across the wider region.

This development signals the Zambian government's firm stance on national sovereignty and the independence of its constitutional institutions from external influence, particularly from the EU. Lawyers advising foreign entities or monitoring political risk in Zambia should note this position, as it may impact engagement strategies with local authorities and the perception of international interventions.

Source: Original reporting via ZNBC