Lungu Told To Apologise For Victimisation Of Gay Couple

The leader of the Patriots for Economic Progress party Sean Tembo has challenged President Edgar Lungu to apologise to former US Ambassador to Zambia Daniel Foote over the victimisation and humiliation he received for opposing the imprisonment of a gay couple last year. 

It follows President Lungu’s decision to exonerate two men, Japhet Chataba and Steven Samba, as part of Monday’s mass pardoning of nearly 3,000 prisoners to mark Africa Freedom Day.

Last November, the two men were sentenced to 15 years in prison for homosexual acts, prompting criticism from then-Ambassador Foote, who said he was “horrified” by the sentencing. 

Mr Foote was later recalled to Washington after being declared ‘persona-non-grate’ by President Lungu. 

Speaking during an interview with Hot FM, Mr Tembo said Mr Foote had been vindicated after Mr Lungu’s decision to pardon the couple and that the president had no choice but to apologise to the former ambassador on behalf of both his government and his party the Patriotic Front. 

Mr Tembo added that the president’s pardoning of the gay couple contradicted his own party’s position on homosexuality, while vindicating many stakeholders who have long campaigned for greater tolerance towards same-sex couples. 

Former US Ambassador to Zambia Daniel Foote