*HH PHONES LUNGU OVER UNITY*
President Hakainde Hichilema has disclosed that he had a telephone conversation with former President Edgar Lungu.
The Head of State says he extended an invitation to the former leader to join the Nation in mourning the departed Fourth Republican President, President Rupiah Bwezani Banda.
And the President says during the phone conversation they reminded each other about how Late President Banda played a critical role in the August, 2021 elections and his call for unity and development in the country.
Meanwhile the Head of State has stated that President Banda’s wishes for a united and prosperous Zambia will live on.
The President writes below…
This afternoon with my wife Mutinta, we joined fellow mourners in paying respect and condolences to the family of our country’s Fourth Republican President, His Excellency, President Rupiah Bwezani Banda who passed away on Friday, 11th March, 2022.
We encouraged the family through the Former First Lady and widow to President Banda, madam Thandiwe Banda to remain strong and united as that was our departed Leader’s wish for the family and the Nation.
President Banda joined the public service at a young age and contributed immensely to our country’s well-being.
And during our address to the press, we confirmed that we had a phone conversation with our country’s former President, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and reminded each other about how our late President, His Excellency, President Banda played a critical role in the 2021 August elections.
President Banda may be gone but his desire of a united and prosperous Zambia will live on and as such, we appeal to the Nation to mourn him with dignity irrespective of social and political affiliation.
May the soul of President Banda rest in peace and may God give us the strength to face tomorrow with renewed hope of a united and developed Zambia.
Hakainde Hichilema
President of the Republic of Zambia