20100705
allafrica

Lusaka — Botswana President Ian Khama has asked African leaders to speak out against their colleagues that make their citizens suffer because of poor political leadership and bad management of national resources.

Speaking when he officially opened the 46th Zambia International Trade Fair in Ndola, about 300 kilometres north of the capital Lusaka, President Khama said the time was long overdue for Africa to rid itself of the ugly past of political instability and poor governance. President Khama, respected in Zambia for standing up against Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's misrule, said anything short of good governance was unacceptable.

He said in a democratic dispensation, elected leaders owe a duty to their citizens to uphold the principle of good governance, democracy and the rule of law as a guide to deliver on their mandate.

"Let me emphasise the need for all of us to work together in promoting democracy and maintaining political stability in the region as this quality creates conducive environment for trade and investment," said President Khama. "In this day and age, we can no longer afford to patronize one another and watch and do nothing while people suffer as a result of poor political leadership and bad management of national resources."

The Botswana leader urged Southern African Development Community (SADC) member countries to improve the quality of their goods and services to make them competitive on the international market.

He said Zambia and Botswana must diversify their economies to lessen their long stand dependence on mineral sector.