Zambia sends 750 troops to CAR

ZAMBIA has sent more than 750 troops to the Central African Republic (CAR) to help maintain peace and order in that country.
Defence Deputy Minister Christopher Mulenga said another contingent of troops was being prepared and would soon be deployed.
Mr Mulenga was speaking on arrival at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, ahead of the second extraordinary meeting of the specialised technical committee on defence, safety and security slated for the Ethiopian capital.
The meeting of defence and security ministers is expected to make important decisions on the establishment of the African standby force.
This is according to a statement released yesterday by first secretary for Press and tourism at the Zambian embassy in Addis Ababa, Naomi Chulu.
Mr Mulenga said the deployment of troops to foreign missions was in line with the country’s continued efforts to help restore peace and security to African countries faced with instability.
He expressed gratitude to the African Union and the United Nations for trusting Zambian soldiers and giving them the opportunity to participate in peace-keeping missions.
Mr Mulenga also said Zambia had signed some defence and security protocols to reduce terrorism threats in the country.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Susan Sikaneta, who received Mr Mulenga, expressed delight that the country had sent a high-powered delegation to the security indaba.