Africa-Press – Zambia. Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has decided to charter an Executive Jet for his trip to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the 36th Ordinary Session of Heads of State Assembly of the African Union. The President has hired a 1990 ZS-SGC Bombardier Challenger 601 owned by Luxaviation, which recently acquired ExecuJet Lanseria, a private jet charter operating from South Africa.
Zambia has two executive presidential jets, including the old Challenger and a brand new G650 Gulf Stream, which the President has refused to use and has stated he will put up for sale. The G650 Gulfstream recently underwent annual maintenance and mechanical service in Dubai, costing the country over $10 million.
The decision to charter an Executive Jet has raised concerns among the public, given the current economic crisis and high cost of living faced by the Zambian people. President Hichilema has taken 32 international trips in the past 16 months, and his foreign travels have been a subject of public discussion.
Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba has called on the President to exercise prudence and save resources by using one of the two presidential jets parked in the hangar, instead of chartering a private jet. He pointed out that there is a daily commercial flight to Addis Ababa, which the President could have taken instead.
Despite the controversy surrounding his mode of travel, President Hichilema arrived in Addis Ababa on February 17, 2023, to participate in the 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, which will convene on 18th to 19th February, 2023. The Summit, with the theme “Accelerated Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area,” brings together all African Heads of State and Heads of various institutions in one place, presenting an opportunity to network with all relevant players in the developmental discourse.
The President has committed to restoring the country’s confidence in the global community in order to attract more investment and grow the country’s Gross Domestic Product. He has continued to underscore the need for increased trade and investment on the continent, as countries work to fulfill the agenda of common development aspirations in order to make Africa a prosperous and peaceful continent that meets the needs of its citizens.
On the margins of the Summit, President Hichilema is also expected to hold bilateral meetings, which present an opportunity for Zambia to advance and protect its national interests at the continental level, as well as be part of the decision-making process in key areas such as regional integration, peace and security, good governance, food security, and nutrition.
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