By Staff Reporter
Former permanent secretary for international relations and cooperation Chalwe Lombe was dismissed by President Hakainde Hichilema for failing to properly advise on matters such as the suspected illegal ferrying of arms to Libya.
News Diggers recently published a story that the European Union Naval Force Mediterranean Operation IRINI intercepted a vessel at sea, carrying the Zambian flag for being suspected of ferrying illegal arms, which is in violation of the Arms Embargo on Libya.
Well placed sources have told Daily Revelation that President Hichilema was informed in detail over what was happening at Foreign Affairs under the previous administration of Joseph Malanji, and that it was appropriate that since Malanji was gone, Lombe should also follow suit, especially as the permanent secretary who was responsible for international cooperation.
Sources said the government felt the matter had put Zambia in bad light internationally.
“The President felt the PS did not guide the minister professionally. So when he was going to the United Nations General Assembly, Lombe had prepared to accompany the President but he was returned at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport,” sources said. “He was told that we don’t need you coming with us. And when the President came back he decided that for this unprofessional conduct of not guiding matters properly he must go before he starts misleading the new minister.”
