Hichilema open to unconditioned dialogue with Lungu
Hichilema open to unconditioned dialogue with Lungu
STATE House says President Hakainde Hichilema is open to dialogue with his predecessor, but has dismissed the conditions set by former president Edgar Lungu in order to drive the resolution agenda forward.
Lungu outlined two specific conditions for engaging in dialogue with President Hichilema.
Lungu stated he is open to a meeting with his successor, facilitated by the Oasis Forum, but only if certain demands are met.
Lungu’s first condition is that President Hichilema must cease what he claims is financial support for factions within the Patriotic Front (PF), specifically those aligned with Miles Sampa and Robert Chabinga.
According to the former president, this alleged interference has fueled internal divisions within the opposition party.
His second condition requires Hichilema to restore the PF’s leadership records at the Registrar of Societies to reflect the status before October 23, 2023, when a leadership dispute splintered the party.
“I am willing to take part in the proposed dialogue between President Hakainde Hichilema and myself, subject to my successor meeting these two conditions,” said Lungu.
Responding to Lungu’s demands, President Hichilema reiterated his commitment to dialogue but dismissed the conditions as “strange and contemptuous.”
He categorically denied any involvement in PF’s internal conflicts, citing a long history of factionalism dating back to Lungu’s leadership.
“I have no authority to interfere in the operations of governance institutions such as the Registrar of Societies,” President Hichilema stated in a statement issued by Statehouse chief communications specialist, Clayson Hamasaka.
The Oasis Forum had initially proposed mediation between the two leaders in July, following Hichilema’s public offer to meet his predecessor.
The initiative aimed at fostering unity and healing the political divisions in Zambia, especially given the ongoing tensions within the PF.
The Patriotic Front has been embroiled in leadership battles since its electoral defeat in 2021, with Lungu’s influence remaining strong despite stepping down from the presidency.
Whether this proposed dialogue can bridge the gap between the two leaders remains uncertain, with Lungu’s conditions acting as a potential roadblock to progress.
By Buumba Mwitumwa
Kalemba October 10, 2024