US$68 Million in Diaspora Remittances-Voting Rights

“Zambia in 2009, received an estimated US$68 million in remittances from those living in Diaspora through formal channels. What this entails is that there more funds that come through informal channels that are not captured on record. With well structured system that offers incentives for investments, Zambians living in Diaspora can become a giant investor in realizing our Zambia’s development agenda. In the recent past, the line has been drawn and clearly acknowledged that Zambians living in Diaspora can contribute immensely to the development of our country given a well structured advocacy strategy that demands that government  tap into the capital of the huge Zambian Diaspora population worldwide by offering them incentives to invest back home. There is no doubt many Zambians in the Diaspora would like to invest back home, if anything over 70% would like at some time to return home and settle. This as maybe the case, there are NO clear policies by our government that help the integration of our fellow countrymen and women back into our society”. 
DEYOS-ZAMBIA is launching an advocacy Campaign to have the following issue handled by the government of Zambia:

·         Establishment of Citizenry Section in all Zambian Embassy’s and High Commission’s Abroad

·         ECZ to begin immediately start working on a framework and system on which will ensure that Zambians abroad can Vote in 2016 General Elections in their Embassies’

·         Zambia Development Agency to initiative incentives for medium to large scale Investment portfolios originating from Zambians in the Diaspora.

·         The new government under the Leadership of Mr. Michael Sata to implement  an inclusive Constitution adoption of the Mung’omba Draft Constitution  with minor amendments as noted by NCC while returning critical clauses discarded by NCC (Note: the Mung’omba and the NCC Constitutions recommended for dual Citizenship).

·         Diaspora Liaison Office at the Office of the President to be placed under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to ensure that there is no political interference. We need this Office to be non partisan. 

DEYOS-Zambia would like to know what your views are on this very important issue which does not only affect Zambians living Abroad but even the larger Citizenry back home through the remittances.
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