President Edgar Lungu says as a sovereign state, Zambia has the right to decide who comes into the country.

Speaking at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport on return from Equatorial Guinea where he had gone to attend the fourth African Union C10 summit, President Lungu said reports that Zambia was deporting foreign preachers were inaccurate.

The Head of State was commenting on a matter where a Zimbabwean prophet Uebert Angel was recently denied entry into the country.

“We did not deport him we just refused them entry, we have the right as a sovereign state to decide who comes and goes out of the country. That’s our preserve as a nation,” President Lungu said.

The President stressed that Zambia had the right to protect and defend the values of the country, adding that any aggrieved person who had been denied entry also had the right to pursue the matter using established means of recourse.

President Lungu returned from Malabo the capital city of Equatorial Guinea around 23:00 hours yesterday.

He was received by Vice President Ingone Wina, Cabinet Ministers, service chiefs, senior government and party officials.

Meanwhile, Speaking before departing Malabo, President Lungu said Zambia stands to benefit greatly from reforms in the United Nations Security Council through enhanced peace, security and development.

The President said decisions made at the United Nations affect Africa and that once Africa has permanent representation on the UN Security Council; the continent would be able to secure its interests and promote peace and development.

The Head of State said Zambia could not exist in isolation from other African countries as she is interfaced with other nations in improving the welfare of African citizens.

“Like I always say, peace in the region, on the continent is cardinal for development. So representation in the U.N. Security Council will help Africa a lot,” President Lungu said.

Lungu said the steps taken at the summit would help revitalize Africa’s push for permanent representation in the UN Security Council.

He expressed satisfaction at the improved attendance by heads of state at the summit and commended them for their resolve and determination to push Africa’s agenda for UN Security Council reforms.