Edgar Lungu became president on 25 January 2015 following the death of predecessor Michael Sata, after the Zambian presidential election, 2015. The following is a list of international presidential trips made by Edgar Lungu since assuming office. Edgar Lungu has been criticised by various local media outlets for travelling extensively, during bad economic times for Zambia.
Edgar Changwa Lungu
Edgar Lungu meets with Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs for the United States.
This was Edgar Lungu's first foreign trip and he attended the 24th AU summit. Lungu held talks on the sidelines with various leaders from the AU, United Nations and United States.[1]
Lungu visits South African counterpart Jacob Zuma for a one-day state visit upon the invitation of South Africa. Both president held talks and Zuma reaffirmed Lungu that South Africa would support the new presidency of the Patriotic Front.[4][5]
Lungu is flown to South Africa for medical treatment after he collapsed at an event during his speech. Though the state denied he was in serious condition, he was flown to Johannesburg. His doctors concluded he needed throat surgery.[6]
Lungu conducts a two-day state visit where, bilateral agreements between the two countries in terms of trade and energy are signed. Lungu along with Nyusi inaugurate the Nacala Hydro Power sub-station. Lungu also inspects the Nacala Port.[7] Lungu is also part of the inauguration of the Karpowership.[8]
This is Lungu's first trip outside Africa. Lungu held bilateral talks with various Chinese ministers and Xi Jinping. Various loan and investment agreements were made between the two countries in trade and infrastructure.[10][11]
Lungu attended the Southern African Development community summit. Before the summit, Lungu held bilateral talks with Robert Mugabe. Lungu address the heads of state of the SADC community on 29 April. Lungu also officially opened the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair on 1 May.[12]
Lungu visited Uganda upon invitation by Yoweri Museveni.[16] Various topics were discussed ranging from education, industry and foreign relations.[16][17]
This was lungu's first visit to Malawi. Lungu attends Malawi's 51st Independence day celebrations. Lungu also hold bilateral talks facilitating trade and transport of goods in the region between the two countries.[18]
Lungu attended the 35th SADC Heads of State summit along with 14 other heads of state. The theme of the summit was 'Accelerating Industrialization of the SADC economies through transformation of natural endowments and improved human capital.'[19]
Lungu conducted his first state visit to Nambia and also officiated the Hero's day celebrations.[20] Lungu also extended his trip by a day to visit Walvis Bay to inspect the port and Zambia dry port at Walvis Bay.[21]
This was the first time Lungu addressed the United Nations as the president of Zambia. There was controversy with this trip as the president's office chartered a $400,000 plane to transport the president and his dignitaries to the United States.[22][23]
26th ordinary session of the African Union Heads of State summit
Details
Lungu Attends the 26th ordinary session of the African Union Heads of State summit. The summit was on peace and security and also talked about the introduction of an African passport.[27][28]
Lungu held talks with Pope Francis and discussed the involvement of the catholic church in Zambia.[30] President Lungu also received a tour of the St. Peter's Basilica.[29]
France
Paris
7 – 11 February
State Visit
Details
Lungu was invited by French President François Hollande for a state visit. Lungu attended mass in Paris before conducting the official state visit.[31] President Lungu attended a lunch session held for the Zambian diaspora living in France and latter addressed the French business community to invest in Zambia.[32] Lungu also visited the Élysée Palace to hold talks with the French president.[33] Lungu also gave an interview on France 24 and Radio France Internationale.[34]
Lungu visit Malawi for a 5-hour meeting between president of Malawi, Peter Mutharika and president of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi. The meeting was a closed door meeting regarding food insecurity, cross-border water transport and refugees in the region.[35] The presidents also discuss the Shire-Zambezi waterway project to help transport in the region.[36]
Lungu attended the inauguration of Yoweri Museveni. On the sidelines of the event trade talks between Zambia and Uganda in the COMESA region was discussed.[37]
This is the first visit by Edgar Lungu after he was inaugurated on 13 September 2016. Lungu attends the 71st session of the UN general assembly. Lungu delivered a speech regarding the "Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants." He also co-chaired the second Round Table session.[39] Lungu also signs the Paris Agreement to append Zambia into list of countries working towards securing climate change.[40]
Lungu attended the 19th COMESA summit along with various leaders and dignitaries from member states. President Lungu held talks on the sidelines with Hery Rajaonarimampianina, the President of Madagascar. Moreover, the president also held talks with Ibrahim Mahab, special envoy from Egypt, with regards to special public private partnerships in construction between the two countries.[41][42]
Lungu attended the Great Lakes Regional summit in Lunda Angola. The main focus of the conference was election situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[43]
Lungu attends the 4th annual Africa-Arab summit in Malabo. Lungu held bilateral talks with diplomats from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.[45]
Lungu made a 2-day state visit to rekindle relations with Tanzania. Various bilateral agreements were signed with respect to trade, transport, prisoner exchange and other diplomatic processes. Lungu was received at the airport by president of Tanzania, John Magufuli. Lungu visited the TAZARA Railway station and vowed to help revive the railway to its former glory. Lungu also visited the office of the Tazama Pipeline and also vowed to improve its efficiency.[46][47]
Lungu made a 2-day state visit to johannesburg to participate in the South Africa-Zambia business forum.[48] Lungu also signed MOUs with russian state atomic energy firm Rosatom with regards to setting up nuclear energy power plants in Zambia.[49]
2017
The following is a list of international presidential trips made by Lungu in 2017.
Lungu visited the town of Kasane, and was received by his Botswanan counterpart Ian Khama. Both leaders inspected Kazungula Bridge which is a jointly financed project intended to bridge both the countries.[52]
Lungu is making a 5 day state visit to Israel. He met various investors and government minister to discuss bilateral trade. Lungu also conducted bilateral talks with Benjamin Netanyahu.[53]
Lungu attended the committee of 10 AU summit held in Malabo. The aim of the meeting was to fast track UN reforms for better African representation at the security council.[55]
Lungu visits Swaziland on the personal invitation by King Mswati III for a 2 day state visit. Bilateral relations, mainly in agriculture were discussed.[57]
This was the third time Lungu addressed the United Nations as the president of Zambia. He pointed out the effects of global warming and the government's efforts to curb child marriages. [58]
