PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema says Zambians have to weather the rising commodity prices as a result of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine in the meantime.

In a statement shared on his Facebook Page, Tuesday, President Hichilema said the conflict would affect the world economic growth, including developing economies like Zambia.

“We are closely monitoring the Ukraine and Russian conflict which has pushed oil prices to record highs. This situation will certainly affect the world economic growth and hard hit will be developing economies, especially in Africa including Zambia. We however remain hopeful that the conflict in that region will be addressed within the shortest possible time as we believe instability anywhere is instability everywhere,” stated President Hichilema.

“As a long-term investment strategy, we will continue pushing our plans for alternative energy solutions such as electric vehicles that will depend on batteries made from locally produced minerals including copper. In the meantime, we have to weather the rising commodity prices as a result of the conflict.”