. Lungu

By CHUSA SICHONE –
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says the peaceful and orderly transition of power in Zimbabwe shows that democracy is not the preserve of the western world but for anyone who believes in it.
President Lungu has also reassured newly-sworn in Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa that he is welcome and that Zambia will continue working and cooperating with his country.
He said this yesterday when he arrived from Zimbabwe where he had gone to witness the swearing in of Mr Mnangagwa as Zimbabwe’s president taking over from Robert Mugabe.
Mr Lungu observed that the wonderful, peaceful and orderly transition of power in Zimbabwe was a demonstration of a democratic process and that there was need to learn from each other.
“I keep saying that  democracy is not the preserve of the western world, democracy can be practiced by all of us, if only we believe in it,” he said.
President Lungu said he also held bilateral talks with Mr Mnangagwa and welcomed him as a neighbour and a member of the regional body SADC.
President Lungu also reassured Mr Mnangagwa that besides strengthening and improving bilateral ties, there was need to share the SADC  vision in areas like regional integration.
President Lungu said this in response to questions from journalists shortly after arriving at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
Mr Lungu was accompanied to Zimbabwe by former presidents Kenneth Kaunda and Rupiah Banda, among others.
The plane carrying President Lungu and his entourage touched down around 19:07 hours and Vice-President Inonge Wina and other senior Government and Patriotic Front officials were on hand to welcome him.