LUSAKA, July 5 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government said on Friday that it fully supports the Africa Union (AU) plan to fund its program from own resources instead of depending on foreign support.
Joseph Malanji, Zambia's Foreign Affairs Minister, said the government fully backs the AU's budget for 2020 as it subscribes to the principle that Africa should fund its own programs.
The Zambian minister, who is in Niamey, Niger for the 12th Extraordinary Summit of the Assembly of the AU Heads of States and Government, said there was need for the AU to ensure that there was diligence in the use of resources availed to the continental body in line with aspirations spelt out in Agenda 2063.
Meanwhile, the Zambian minister has reiterated the government's commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He said President Edgar Lungu's signing of the protocol was a testimony that Zambia was committed to being part of the envisaged big market, according to a release.
He said the only process remaining was for the ratification of the agreement which was expected to be done after completion of stakeholder consultations.
The AfCFTA is expected to become operational during the summit in Niger after receiving the required number of signatories.
