Commonwealth secretary-general Patricia Scotland’s special envoy Ibrahim Gambari says he wants to ensure that a conducive environment is created for Zambia’s next general elections.

The Nigerian scholar and diplomat, who arrived in Zambia on Wednesday, told journalists after a closed door meeting with President Edgar Lungu yesterday that he would come into the country at least once every month to meet various stakeholders until the process was concluded.

“I am here to work with all stakeholders so that we can have a roadmap and strategy to build peace and ensure that a conducive environment is created for the next general elections. This is a Zambian owned process and we are just here to support and encourage the process,” said Professor Gambari.

Last month, Scotland brokered a dialogue deal between President Lungu and UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema who was at the time still at Mukobeko Maximum Prison for treason charges.