RB to attend African Presidential Roundtable meeting in South Africa

The Boston University African Presidential Centre has sent return air tickets to enable Former Republican President Rupiah Banda to travel to South Africa for the 2013 African Presidential Roundtable which begins on Wednesday, 5^th June, 2013.

According to the Deputy Administrative Assistant in Mr Banda’s office, Kennedy Limwanya, the former Head of State’s scheduled trip of Tuesday, 4^th June, hinges on the court ruling tomorrow regarding the release of his passport which is in the custody of the Government Joint Investigative Team.

Mr Limwanya said in a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today that the former President and one aide have been booked on South African Airways flight SAA 0063 to depart Kenneth Kaunda International Airport on Tuesday and return to Lusaka shortly after the event that will be held at Constitution Hill in the Winnie Mandela Courtyard.

He also indicated that Boston University President –in- Residence attaché William Twayigize has assured Mr Banda of VIP security to be provided to him upon arrival at Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.  

Mr Limwanya noted that according to Twagiyize, the State protocol will allocate one security officer and one medical doctor to stay with Mr Banda throughout the round table event.

He said that all former heads of state to attend the Presidential Roundtable under the theme “The Cost of Democracy” have been booked at Westcliff Hotel.

Mr Banda has been invited to make a presentation at the 2013 African Presidential Roundtable on what Western countries can do to provide assistance in facilitating the electoral process in Africa and what the current generation of leaders need to do to further stability and democracy on the continent and in their own countries.