RB talks to SADCC leaders in South Africa

President Rupiah Banda May 9 held one-on-one closed door bilateral talks with six African leaders in South Africa where he discussed various issues concerning Zambia and the African continent. He held a meeting with Angolan President José Eduardo Dos Santos in Pretoria where the two leaders discussed economic cooperation between Zambia and Angola. After meeting President Dos Santos, President Banda held talks with his Mozambican counterpart President Armando Guebuza where they discussed various bilateral issues concerning the two neighbouring countries.

He also held a meeting with the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Joseph Kabila. The two leaders discussed issues of concern to the two neighbouring countries and pledged continued mutual support.

Before winding up his two-day visit to South Africa, President Banda further held talks with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and the Kings of Swaziland and Lesotho, King Mswati III and King Moshoeshoe, respectively.

Apart from the African leaders, President Banda also held a meeting with Mr. Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Korea. The two leaders discussed bilateral issues, including the forthcoming Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit to be held in Egypt.