.Lungu

FROM REBECCA MUSHOTA  –

in Luanda, Angola
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu is today expected here at the invitation of Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos.
Mr Lungu has been invited to commission the refurbished Benguela Railway line in Luau, in Moxico Province tomorrow together with President dos Santos and Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila.
He has also been invited to speak at a special session of Parliament today.
Zambia’s Ambassador to Angola Barbara Chilangwa said all was set for the visit and that the President had a busy programme.
Mr Lungu is expected to arrive in Luanda at 10:00 hours after which he would proceed to lay wreaths at the national square, the memorial site for the Angolan founding president Augustino Neto.
“The President will also have face to face talks with President dos Santos. The two have a lot to share because president dos Santos is the chairperson of the International Great Lakes Region and President Lungu is the mediator in the South Sudan conflict,” Ms Chilangwa said.
Mr Lungu would consult Mr dos Santos because of his experience in conflict resolution.
Ms Chilangwa said the two presidents would discuss the refurbished Benguela Railway Line which had the potential to open up the mining sector and other sectors in Zambia to the world.
The Benguela Railway line would reduce the cost of doing business for Zambian businesses.
The climax of the trip would be the commissioning of the railway line on Saturday in Luau, about 1,000 kilometers from Luanda.
Mr Lungu is expected to return to Lusaka after the event.