LUSAKA (SD) – The Zambian government is expected to deploy more than 100 police officers following a memorandum of understanding with the African Union.

Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Emmanuel Mwamba has signed the MoU on behalf of Zambia.

Mwamba said signing the MoU would increase the number of police officers Zambia has been allocated to send for AMISOM from 38 to 160.

He said at the signing ceremony that Zambian police and soldiers who are deployed in various countries for The United Nations and African Union missions are known to be distinguished and highly disciplined on the ground.

Mr. Mwamba added that while Zambia had deployed police officers to African Union missions since 2012, it had been done without a memorandum of understanding.

He recalled that it was important for Member States to institutionalize the deployment of officers to the African Union mission by signing a Memorandum of Understanding.

And signing on behalf of the African Union Commission, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Bankole Adeoye said Zambia is a model of democracy in Africa.

Ambassador Adeoye said Zambia has also assisted many African countries through peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts across the continent.

This is contained in a statement addressed to ZANIS by the First Secretary for Press and Tourism of the Zambian Mission in Addis Ababa, Inutu Mwanza.