WHOLESALE VISA WAIVER RISKY

…Kampyongo says Zambia is not a park where every foreigner should enter without being scrutinised

THE wholesale visa waiver galore Zambia has offered to nationals of some foreign countries will pose a security risk to the country’s sovereignty says former Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo.

The affected countries include the United Kingdom (UK), the United States of America (USA), Canada, Japan, South Korea, the Gulf States including Iraq, Bahrain and the European Union among others

Mr Kampyongo, said Zambia is not a play park where every foreign national could walk in and out without being accounted for and therefore, comprehensive consultations should have been done before implementing the policy.

The Shiwang’andu Patriotic Front Member of Parliament said visa waivers between countries was a reciprocal undertaking and that countries whose citizens were exempted from visas should be able to advise the government offering the waiver about the characteristics of its citizens.

Government has announced the implementation of the visa waiver policy for some foreign nationals coming in its quest to boost the tourism industry.

The foreign countries to which Zambia has offered the waiver on visas include the UK, the USA, Canada, Norway, Australia, New Zealand and China. Other countries that will be enjoying the facility of non-visa requirement are Japan, South Korea, and the Gulf States which include Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and the European Union (EU).

But Mr Kampyongo, who is the opposition Chief Whip in parliament has expressed fears that Zambia could easily be opening herself to terrorist elements by making entry of foreigners unrestricted.

He stated that it was not safe to open up the country to free entry by foreign nationals some of whom could be a danger to the sovereignty, peace and security of the country.