Government has reaffirmed its commitment to regional and International efforts in restoring peace and security in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as well as the Great Lakes Region, citing dialogue as a key tool in these efforts.

Minister of Defence Ambrose Lufuma and his Democratic Republic of Congo counterpart, Minister of the Interior, Security, Decentralisation, and Customary Affairs, Jacquemin Shabani Lukoo jointly officially opened the 14th Session of the DRC and Zambia Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) on Defence and Security Ministerial Meeting being held in Lubumbashi.

ZANIS reports that Mr Lufuma noted that it is important that resolutions made by Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo following the Joint Permanent Commission Meeting should be responsive to the security needs of the two nations and the region.

He expressed the need for peace and stability, noting that it cannot be over emphasised especially with the growing economic activities between the two countries.

The Minister added that it is important that the two Defence forces from the bilateral nations intensify Joint security operations to neutralise common threats.

Mr Lufuma however emphasised the critical role of the JPC in curbing threats that undermine security in the two countries and beyond.

“Our meetings should not be taken as a mere routine but as a platform to support meaningful dialogue. We owe this much to our heads of state who have entrusted us with a huge responsibility to safeguard our countries, “he said.

Democratic Republic of Congo, Minister of the Interior, Security, Decentralisation, and Customary Affairs, Jacquemin Shabani Lukoo also highlighted that the DRC and Zambia share a relationship beyond the shared borders, emphasising that the two nations share a common history that binds them together.