Global peace leadership conference opens in Zanzibar!

Rupiah Bwezani Banda, fourth president of the Republic of Zambia

The East African region has witnessed an alarming rise of intra-state and interstate conflicts in recent decades. Each of these has taken a huge toll in terms of human lives lost, the suffering of refugees and internally displaced people, and the destruction of the social fabric, physical infrastructure, and natural resources of the region, in particular within its coastal strip.

In response to this grave challenge to the security and welfare of East Africa’s peoples, the Global Peace Foundation in partnership with the government of Zanzibar,  the East African Community and the intergovernmental authority on development, is convening a global peace leadership conference, promoting peace, security and sustainable development in East Africa,” from July 21-25, 2015 in Zanzibar.  

This timely and important gathering of top government, religious and business leaders and other influential public figures, including eight former African presidents, is convening at the exclusive Melia Hotel, one of East Africa’s premiere conference facilities.
In the same vein Clement Malambo and Solomon Mwanza in Zambia report that   Rupiah Bwezani Banda, fourth president of the Republic of Zambia, is tomorrow expected to leave for Zanzibar to attend the East African global peace leadership conference.

President Banda will join other former African presidents and heads of government including    Amani Abeid Karume, former president of Zanzibar and Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of the federal republic of Nigeria.

Others expected to attend the four-day conference beginning on 21st July, 2015 are   GirmaWolde-Giorgis, former president of the federal democratic republic of Ethiopia,   Sir James Mancham, founding president of the republic of Seychelles, and   Raila Odinga, former prime minister of the republic of Kenya.

President Banda has also been invited to serve as a charter member of the Africa leadership mission on peace-building, young leadership and service (Africa presidential mission).

He will be accompanied to Zanzibar by his administrative assistant Mikatazo Wakumelo.

  Reports in Zambia have it that taxpayers will cough out more than K350, 000 (K350 million old currency) to take Rupiah Banda to Zanzibar to meet other retired presidents.

Rupiah, his porters and guards will fly to the East African Island for the  East African global peace leadership conference.

This talk workshop has no real benefits to the public but the Zambia taxpayers will pay for Rupiah's expensive flights, accommodation, food and allowances. The workshop will take four days.

The Zambia taxpayers will also pay the expenses for Rupiah's porters and guards.

A source at the ministry of finance explained that the estimated cost of the trip is over K350, 000.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN