ZAMBIA’S FOREIGN POLICY: RECLAIMING OUR LEADERSHIP ROLE IN WORLD EVENTS

I was just thinking.

If there is a subject very close to my heart in politics, it is Foreign Policy and I thought I should write about it because I have been both very disappointed and concerned about what I perceive to be a decline in Zambia’s ability to influence some world events.

Zambia’s Foreign Policy position and its conduct were well pronounced by our First President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, even before we became independent. Further into our time as a free people, the objectives to be pursued became well defined. Even as a young person in primary school, I knew where this country stood on some of the world events because our President talked about them often. He explained to the people of Zambia on regular basis why Zambia made certain decisions, why some countries were our enemies and why we supported certain countries. The entire world knew where Zambia stood on global issues because of the ability of the President and his people to boldly articulate globally issues from a well-defined position. Our foreign policy took specific positions without any ambiguity. A broad outline of our Foreign Policy was as follows:

      We pledged to support those that were fighting for freedom and self-determination.

      We pledged to co-operate with all independent countries irrespective of their social systems.

      We pursued a policy of Non-alignment.

      We pursued a policy of good neighborliness

      We supported and were committed members of the United Nations, the Organization for African Unity, Non-Aligned Movement, the Commonwealth and other regional and sub-regional groups.

It is well-known that Zambia supported liberation movements around the world. When we disagreed with some of our friends, we told them so and we told them why.

For example, on Namibia, Zambia expressed great disappointment at the lack of progress on the question of independence for Namibia. The problem had been compounded by the question of linkage between the Independence of Namibia and the withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola. Our views on this subject had been made abundantly clear on several occasions that Zambia did not agree with this approach to the problems in Namibia. Our view was that the presence of Cuban troops in Angola had nothing to do with the independence of Namibia.

On South Africa, we condemned most strongly the system of apartheid which governed that country. We supported the ANC of South Africa because it represented the aspirations of many South Africans, both black and white. Zambia also condemned in no uncertain terms, South Africa’s aggression against sister Republics of Angola and Lesotho. We condemned South Africa for supporting anti-government elements in Mozambique, Angola, Lesotho and in all other States. We condemned the racist regime for violating the sovereignty of Botswana and Zimbabwe and for her constant threats against all Frontline States. We stood firm in spite of all acts of aggression against us.

Zambia strongly supported the people of Western Sahara, in North Africa, under the leadership of Polisario (Popular Front for the Liberation of Sagua el Hamra and Rio de Oro) who were fighting against Morocco for self-determination. We did this as a matter of principle. We were not against Morocco. We had no reason to be against Morocco. In fact, our relations with Morocco were cordial. In spite of this, we believed that the people of Western Sahara had a just claim to their country which, for a long time, was under Spanish rule. Sadly, just a short while ago, the current Zambian Foreign Affairs Minister announced our “withdrawal of recognition of Western Sahara”. This, I regard as a senseless act a disaster in our foreign policy and a betrayal of the Saharawi people.

In the Middle East, we stood with the Palestinians although we recognized Israel’s right to exist as a state and blamed her for the instability in the area. In dealing with the Middle East, we called for unity in Arab ranks because there was so much internal friction amongst them.

There were other troubled spots where Zambia tried very hard to intervene: Nicaragua, Nigeria/Biafra, Kenya/Somalia, Zaire, India/Pakistan, Kashmir, Grenada, Iraq, etc.

Some of you may not even know that the strong ties we have with The Peoples Republic of China today go way back from Independence when we fought hard to have that country admitted into the United Nations. We advocated the “One China Policy” whereas the powerful Western countries supported China. Our U.N. Ambassador at the time, Mr Vernon Mwaanga, as the youngest individual to hold the position of President of the General Assembly led this fight against the West led by then U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mr George H. Bush who later became President of the United States. When the fight was over, Mr Bush congratulated Mr Mwaanga and the two men remained great friends even into Mr Bush’s stay in the White House.

Dr Vernon Mwaanga is the first to admit that KK was the architect of our foreign policy and sent him on shuttle missions around the world which resulted in what was known as the “Bible” of Zambia’s foreign policy. Dr Kaunda wanted Zambia to take a stand on various global issues and not just watch from the sidelines. Not long ago, I spent a lot of time with VJ discussing Dr Kaunda’s foreign policy. The Nordic countries, Italy, USSR, Yugoslavia and even the Queen of Great Britain held KK in the highest esteem.

The position Zambia held then was recognized all over the world and that is why Dr Kaunda welcomed many powerful world leaders here and in turn was hosted by them in their countries. Because of his statesmanship, he remains the only Zambian President to have been hosted at the White House and Buckingham Palace, The Kremlin, Great Hall of the People, etc., in some cases, several times. All these visits resulted in many benefits for our country. We do not need a President who rushes to every tea-party and Trade Fair in the world. That is a waste of public resources and we must not see such presidential behavior ever again.

I've been reading as many of Dr Kaunda's speeches as I could find and I've been amazed on how he tackled issues in every troubled spot in the world, even after he left office. With various leaders, whenever he visited their countries, he just did not discuss Zambia, he discussed the world. Whether it was with an American President in the White House, Josep Tito in Belgrade, Leonid Brezhnev in Moscow, Margaret Thatcher at 10 Downing Street, at the UN General Assembly podium in New York City,  Sofia in Bulgaria, KK could hold his own an any world issue. He did not mince words on issues.

Not only was KK the vitamin A of the liberation struggle and a thorn in the flesh to those world powers who supported oppressive regimes in the world, but on many occasions, he got involved in the peace process. Some of you will remember the almost cataclysmic situation between Kenya and Somalia in the late 60's into the 70's. Dr Kaunda successfully negotiated a settlement between the two nations. Sadly, decades later, Somalia is now once again supporting terrorists who are destabilizing Kenya but unlike before, Zambia is not taking a lead role. KK was a skilled negotiator.

In August 1989, following the execution of Iranian-born freelance journalist Farzad Bazoft by Sadaam Hussein for alleged spying, a British nurse, Daphne Parish who had been driving him was also arrested and sentenced to 15 years in jail. President Kaunda negotiated for her release from an Iraqi prison and was flown to Lusaka where she was reunited with her family at State House.  I also do recall the President arriving late for a press conference at Mulungushi Hall because most of the night and morning, he had been engaging world leaders on the telephone to help stop the imminent execution of ousted Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto by General Zia.  

It is due to our strong Foreign Policy and ties with major global players that we achieved unprecedented infra-structure development in power generation (Yugoslavia), oil refinery (Italy), railway line (Chinese), military training and equipment (USSR, Italy, and Yugoslavia), health support (Scandinavian countries), manufacturing (India and Japan), etc.

Our President and his Foreign Affairs Ministers, from 1964, were well-versed in global issues covering countries both near and far. Our views were well known to the world. Now, we hold a weak position in conflict resolution due to an inert leadership which has had no clue of global issues coupled by the inability to be an example of good governance. Our ministers of foreign affairs are not heard commenting or stating our country’s position on various global issues. Western Sahara is today a victim of our inability to carefully apply a coherent foreign policy. Zambians have no idea of our voting record at the United Nations. Major events take place around the world, some of which Zambia fought for and defended in the past but our foreign affairs minister remains quite. 

We have had weak Foreign Affairs ministers who remained aloof to problems that we helped solve in the past. This is very worrying to me and is responsible for our low-key and extremely poor performance on global issues. Even now, the current minister remains the weakest link and probably the worst Zambia has ever had to hold this portfolio. Major events have taken place around the world and there has not been any comment or statement on Zambia’s position. For example, Zambia, in the 1970’s was a strong supporter of Cuba and spoke fearlessly for the people of that country mainly calling for the United States to get out of that island and lift the trade embargo. A few months ago, President Obama made a bold move in that direction but our Foreign Affairs minister found it totally unnecessary to make a statement expressing Zambia’s delight with America’s new stance and urging that country to do more in normalizing relations between those two countries. Zambia needs a strong and proactive Foreign Affairs minister.

One major mistake Zambia is making in its foreign affairs management is that the country is no longer proactive, no longer taking the lead and has either left it to countries like South Africa who were born yesterday or remained mute. Zambia used to take her position to the then Organization of African Unity, Frontline States, Non-Aligned Movement, Commonwealth Heads of State Summit and other world bodies and influenced certain issues in which we believed. It seems now we have delegated our foreign policy steering wheel to the African Union and other such institutions. That is both weakness and cowardice.

Diplomacy does not mean that even as neighbors or friends, we have to be nice to each other by keeping quiet when there is obviously a difference of opinion between us. Our position or disagreement with a close friend does not mean a break in friendship. Dr Kaunda had some bitter words to say to the Zairean President Mobutu over his allegations that we were aiding rebels in that country. We remained friends. There are so many examples of close friends in the world, such as America and Israel, who can differ seriously but still remain friends. America has been spying on Germany and listening in to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s phone calls and this caused major diplomatic problems but the Germans let America and its President know that they were very angry about it. President Kaunda again, for example, did not spare the Soviets when they invaded Czechoslovakia. The Russians l remained one of our strongest supporters, even still.

In conflict resolution, our Government must seek to help nations experiencing external and internal turmoil so that they can also experience joy and peace in their nations. Zambia should be helping out in South Sudan, Congo DR and Zimbabwe in one way or another. For us to do that, we will have to ensure that our own standards of governance are beyond reproach. Zambia must once again take a leadership role not only in the region but on this continent and the entire world. South Africa is far less experienced than us but they are shining in this area than us. This must change.

I should also state that never has Zambia seen such nepotism in the appointment of Foreign Service personnel as in the MMD and PF administrations. Our Foreign Service has been taken over by ruling party cadres and relatives of the leadership, some who have no idea of what diplomacy entails. Appointment of diplomats must be based on ability and not on family and forest trees or tribal inclination. We need to have career diplomats. Our relations with other countries play a major role in establishing new opportunities for Zambia and thus the need to have creative people well-versed not only in world affairs but business. A serious purging, therefore, of party cadres and family in the Foreign Service must take place swiftly.

Since September 11, 2001 when the world was shocked with the attack on New York City’s World Trade Center Twin Towers, terrorism has become a major source of global concern. We cannot ignore this situation at all as if Zambia was not at risk. We have very porous borders in the East and North of Zambia where there is potential danger of this country being infiltrated. I once indicated to someone in President Mwanawasa’s administration my concerns on this very subject and other foreign policy issues and I know that the President received my message. I was informed that the President wanted to see me and tasked someone to contact me but the meeting never took place due to his untimely death.

As countries such as America, Britain, Belgium and France pursue terrorists, it is very likely that these terrorists could retreat and lie low in countries where they are least expected to be found. Zambia is a relatively peaceful country and would be a candidate for these people to hide and plan before resuming their activities without raising any alarm. I doubt if we are monitoring such potential danger. Zambia must ensure that to the best of our ability, our land shall not be used as a training ground or safe haven for terrorists. Our banking system shall not be used to siphon money to support terrorism. We must aggressively support the fight against terrorism around the world as best as we can.

It’s just a thought.

Photos (L-R): With Dr Kaunda, Former British High Commissioner James Thornton, Former Chinese Ambassador Zhou and Former Foreign Affairs Minister and Ambassador to the U.N. Dr Vernon Mwaanga.