• This is what Heads of State under COMESA and SADC have been emphasizing on…
• High unemployment levels and failure to produce more food leaves people with a challenge to ask themselves what they are celebrating independence for.
• With the New Government administration, Cross Border network Africa is seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.

Cross Boarder Network Africa says Zambian Cross Border Traders have freedom to trade within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) as well as Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) regions.

Commenting ahead of Zambia’s 58th Independence anniversary that falls on the 24th October in an interview with Money FM News, Cross Boarder Network Africa President Bernard Sikunyongana highlights that this is what Heads of State under COMESA and SADC have been emphasizing on, to ensure there is open trade between countries for easy supply of goods to those that have less products.

“I can say yes we have the freedom to trade within the region,” he stated.

Mr. Sikunyongana further noted that independence starts from within Zambians themselves pointing on need for sovereign over trade activities and more food production in the country.

He however said high unemployment levels and failure to produce more food, leaves people with a challenge to ask themselves what they are celebrating independence for, “because I am a hungry person I have not been employed for a long time.”

“When people now have got employment, they are free, the employment levels are high then people now will be very independent in terms of what they want to do and when they want to do trade they should be trading with their free mind, that is what am looking at,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sikunyongana indicated that with the New Government administration, Cross Border network Africa is seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, citing employments that is being created.

He said with this development, “we can say people will be free in terms of trading within the region because they are working.”

Mr. Sikunyongana noted that when someone is not working, “meaning then there is no freedom at all because they are unable to sustain their living.”

The Theme for 2022 Independence Day Celebration is “Zambia@58, promoting inclusiveness towards a sustainable social and economic recovery”