By Staff Reporter
The government has recalled a named Zambian diplomat from Russia as the UPND administration explores further into “irregular” conduct during the printing of ballot papers for the 2021 general elections in Dubai and arms sells to third party countries during the PF rule.
Well placed sources have told Daily Revelation that the named diplomat was recalled recently in order to establish further on how the Zambian flag was allowed to be used by third party countries to ship arms to a named North African country.
“The government has come across information about some activities from the Russian mission. Information has it that some arms which were being shipped on that boat which was impounded with the Zambian flag on it was carrying some weapons from Russia,” sources said. “The government is exploring further into how some Zambian military attaches, and diplomats who were attached to other countries found themselves frequenting the Middle East during the period the ballot papers for the 2021 general elections were being printed.”
The impeccable sources continued.
“There are many issues being explored in connection with Russia, including the presidential jet which was purchased under former president Edgar Lungu’s reign. The government is also looking into the extent of the relationship Belarusian businessman and oligarch, Alexander Zingman had with Lungu and the previous regime,” sources said. “As a result of the foregoing, several diplomats, military attaches have been recalled.”
Contacted for comment, Ministry of Defence permanent secretary Norman Chipakupaku said he would not comment on the matter.
A press query sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is still awaiting response.
The European Union Naval Force Mediterranean Operation IRINI last year intercepted a vessel at sea, carrying the Zambian flag following suspicion that it was ferrying illegal arms, which were in violation of the arms embargo on Libya.
IRINI argued that the vessel whose ports of origin and destination were Agadir (Morocco) to Misrata (Libya) was suspected to be transporting illegal arms and needed to be searched so that the said articles, if found, could be destroyed.
