USA hails Zambia’s elections as Model for Africa

——-The United States Government has hailed Zambia’s January 20 Presidential election as a model of democracy in Africa.

Speaking when she paid a courtesy call on President Edgar Lungu, on the margins of the AU Summit, USA Under-Secretary for African Affairs, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Zambia’s January 20 Presidential election was also an affirmation of the country’s entrenched culture of free and fair elections.

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the people and government of Zambia have something to be proud of in the manner the country conducts elections.

“Your elections are a model and for us elections are top on the agenda of cooperation with partners. We are therefore pleased with the Zambian elections in which you were elected President were smooth, free, transparent and fair,” Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield said.

She said the US Government will continue to support Zambia and the Electoral commission because Zambia is a model of how elections should be conducted and how to manage democracy.

Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield said there is a lot to learn from Zambia’s ability to rise above differences and exercise democratic practices to the fullest.

And Mr. Lungu confirmed Zambia’s commitment to maintaining and strengthening the existing friendly joint relations with the US and assured the US that Zambia will uphold the shared values of democracy.

The President expressed profound gratitude to the American Government for their observation efforts and for having donated USD 400,000 towards the electoral process ahead of the January 20 polls.

He stated that poverty reduction through economic diversification, job creation and prudent economic and social policies will be part of his priority.