M’MEMBE CALLS FOR A SERIOUS NATIONAL DIALOGUE
M’MEMBE CALLS FOR A SERIOUS NATIONAL DIALOGUE
By Fox Correspondent
CURRENTLY there is an intensifying crisis of governance, rule of law, democracy and social cohesion in the country, Socialist Party leader Fred M’membe has noted.
Dr M’membe has therefore called for a serious national dialogue saying, President Hakainde Hichilema has set the country on a risky path of destruction.
In a statement, Dr M’membe said in the new dawn governance, there is a rise in tribalism and grand corruption which has left a dark spot on the unity, patriotism, and democracy of Zambia.
“Today, our country is bedeviled with a lot of difficulties; ranging from the economy, politics and social issues. There is an intensifying crisis of governance, rule of law, democracy and social cohesion in Zambia under Mr Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND. The sharp rise in repression, ethnic bigotry, grand corruption, tribalism and many other vices has left a dark spot on the unity, patriotism, and democracy of our country,” he said.
“The truth is; things are no longer the same anymore. This country is deeply divided. It is in unfathomable problems. Political competitors, private citizens, and other critical voices are degraded and brutalized through unseen repression, and hardship without any tolerance and restraint”.
Dr M’membe said the manner in which the UPND government has been circumventing the law and abusing state institutions is a clear testimony of the illegitimate intentions of its administration.
“It is no longer a secret that Mr Hichilema has set this country on a risky path of destruction. The thoughtless manner in which this administration has been circumventing the law and abusing state institutions is a clear testimony of the illegitimate intentions of this administration. Mr Hichilema and the UPND have literally incapacitated the rule of law and constitutional order in the country, and are going about their daily business with impunity, without oversight or regard for the ethical, cultural, political and economic consequences of their actions,”.
“They have been unashamed with their systematic destruction of state institutions with the single resolve of reigning with fear and terror. But what is the end game? For how long will they be on this path before the citizens push back? What type of country do they think will be built and developed on the back of repression, tribalism, corruption, and so on and so forth?”
He further called upon stakeholders; the church, political parties, civil society, traditional leaders among others to find a clear path that can achieve consensus on critical economic governance.
“Mr Hichilema needs to know that a leadership that reigns with force, fear, and terror, and is devoid of consent and understanding of the citizens, ends up in grief. This country has come a long way to come and self-destruct in such a manner. There is need for stakeholders – the Church, political parties, civil society, traditional leaders, among many others – to find a clear path that can strengthen and repair relationships, nurture a deep sense of political and cultural or ethnic harmony as well as achieve consensus on critical economic, governance, development and democracy problems,” said Dr M’membe.
“We need a sincere National Dialogue on Values, Governance, and Constitutionalism, Human Rights, Reconciliation, the Economy, Social Cohesion, and many more. We need to begin to find collective solutions to these problems. Things are not going well. Let us avert any future and worse crises now. There is a need to build social cohesion and trust before the 2026 general elections”.