Zim to support Zambia in AfDB bid
PRESIDENT MNANGAGWA has assured Zambia of Zimbabwe’s support in its bid for the African Development Bank (AfDB) presidency.
Zambia’s candidate Dr Samuel Munzele Maimbo is contesting for the AfDB top post in next year’s election.
More than five candidates from African countries are eyeing the same post.
Yesterday, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema sent his emissary, former Zambian Vice President Enock Kavindele, to meet President Mnangagwa seeking Zimbabwe’s backing for its candidate.
Soon after meeting President Mnangagwa at State House yesterday, the former Zambian Vice President said his country was seeking Zimbabwe’s support in its bid for the AfDB top post
“Firstly, I have come to see my brother and secondly to wish him and the people of Zimbabwe the best when they take over the chairmanship of SADC and to seek my elder brother’s support and that of Zimbabweans. We have a candidate we are trying to sell to the region who wants to become a president of the African Development Bank. This man works at the World Bank as the vice president there, but he wants now to come and be in Africa with us. So we say well, we will go to a senior man (President Mnangagwa) across the Zambezi and tell him, so we haven’t gone anywhere else at all.
“We are here to seek support. President Mnangagwa has assured us of his support for our candidate,” he said.
President Mnangagwa and former Zambian Vice President Kavindele are long-time friends who worked together in the United National Independence Party (UNIP) in Zambia during their youthful days.
President Mnangagwa chronicled the journey he travelled with the former Zambian Vice President and assured him of his and Zimbabwe’s full support for Dr Maimbo in his bid for the AfDB presidency.
“We came from far together in the United National Independence Party (UNIP) and in Zambia with the former Zambian Vice President Kavindele.
“I am seeing my brother here. I assured them our full support for their candidate,”said President Mnangagwa.
Dr Maimbo is the current World Bank Group vice president responsible for budget, performance review and strategic planning.
He is responsible for aligning the World Bank’s budget with its strategic priorities, financial sustainability objectives, efficiency targets and business needs.