The church has advised opposition Patriotic Front (PF) and United Party for National Development (UPND) to rescind their decisions to shun the National Indaba this weekend.
The Christian Faith Mission Centre (CFMC) said the two political parties and any other opposition party contemplating to boycott should rescind their decision since the national indaba was crucial in resolving problems afflicting the country.
CFMC Pastor-In-Charge Peter Chanda says there is need for all stakeholders with diverse views to attend the national indaba in order to help government address the various problems facing the country.
Pastor Chanda told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that it was not a right thing by the opposition political leaders to think of shunning this weekend’s national indaba as the dialogue was critical to fostering economic development in the country.
He said political leaders should stop politicking and instead concentrate in helping government to address problems associated with the global economic crunch.
Pastor Chanda further advised the opposition political leaders to show political maturity by attending the national indaba which he said was aimed at discussing pertinent issues that will add value to the development of the nation.
Government has called for a national indaba with various stakeholders to discuss various proposals and submissions aimed at resolving the economic impact on the global financial melt-down.
But yesterday the PF and UPND announced their boycott of the indaba set for this weekend.
PF president Michael Sata and UPND president Hakainde Hichilemena confirmed their parties will not be part of the national indaba to be held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre
And the Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Dispute (SACCORD) says it is regrettable that the two main opposition political parties, Patriotic Front (PF) and United Party for National Development (UPND) have pulled out from the national indaba.
SACCORD Executive Director Lee Habasonda told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the PF and UPND have been eluded of an opportunity to offer solution to the problems in the country.
Mr. Habasonda said the two political parties are key players in the country who would have helped the country find solutions the country is going through relating to the global economic crisis and others.
He said the decision by the two political parties to pull out from the indaba is regrettable adding that SACCORD would have hoped that the two parties participate.
Mr. Habasonda however advised government to be careful with the selection of the people to attend such indaba’s saying there is need for diversity.
He said the criteria used for choosing the people to be attending the indaba need to be transparent and inclusive to allow different people offer their solutions.
Meanwhile Zambia Centre for Inter-Party Dialogue (ZCIPD) said it is justified for the PF and UPND to pull out of the indaba because they did not have enough time to prepare and get views from their members.
ZCIPD Spokesperson Langton Sichone said he will not blame the two parties for shunning the indaba saying they where caught unaware and it was going to be difficulty for them to effectively contribute at the indaba.
Mr. Sichone said the participants to the indaba would have been given a month or two before the indaba to allow them do some research and decide on what to say.
He however said the indaba is a good course by the government as it meant to find solutions to the problems the country is facing urging all citizens to support the idea.
ZANIS/GP/ENDS/MM
You cant force people to attend this indaba thing
The items on the agenda for this Indaba are critical and will determine if these parties can attend
Why force people who do not want to be part of this?? leave them alone….. you can do without them.!!
do not force pipo
It is regretable for the main opposition parties to shun this National Indaba though they have their reasons which to me appear justifiable. However, fora such as this indaba are very important for sharing ideas from diverse stakeholders on the country’s way forward especially when faced by specific problems like, at the moment the global financial crunch. Such fora should not be polticised but should ensure heads representing all sectors of our society come together and deliberate. Look at America; when it comes to taking forward the nation Republicans join hands with Democrats to find solutions without politicising issues or getting some political milage out of the getting together.
While the rest of the progressive world is taking steps to address the finacial melt down, we are busy trying to have endless meetings on the tax payers dime. Honestly do we need to have 500 people (most of whom have no clue on whats hapenning) to address these issues. Does’nt the government have economic advisors who can better address this as opposed to having another taking shop. The problems of Zambia are obvious solutions and the sooner this government realises this, the better. I support the opposition for their stance because this government has a predetermined agend and is merely putting on a PR stunt by pretending to seek the input of all Zambias. They will do what they want to…
I am sure it does not need a indaba (what ever it means) to sort out financial problems. the main issue is about implementation. Rupiah Banda says something else but does another. UPND have offered him advice but he did not take it. What else does he want them to do or say to him? Churches and NGOs leaders must think before they say anything because Banda has been advised but he is just interested in insulting the opposition leaders. He is a republican president so let him offer solutions in same we seeing Obama leading America. Being in one place and giving speeches will not help. Banda is very corrupt anyway
This Banda govt is very corrupt. Last weekend there a workshop for memebrs of parliament organised by the dept of gender or something similar to that. One MMD memebr of parliament did not attend the workshop but went to sign for allowance when it was time to get money. That type of behaviour never used to happen during Mwanawasa’s time. People are getting money for what they have not worked for. Chiluba intriduced the brown enevelopes but now they have been reintroduced by Banda. I hate the man and all those who support him because the country nis sinking deeper in financial problems.
Do not listen to the church. Stand by your words. This is not a religious matter but a political matter. Although RB insisted on not calling it political.
Like many other past ‘indabas’ this one too will be a waste of time & taxpayers money.You cannot sit down with a govt that does not want to listen.There are very few african govts that would want to listen & work on recommendations or proposals by other stakeholders more especially opposition parties which are regarded as enemies.
Irrespective of what’s on the agenda,this is a method used by sitting govt to divert attention.At the moment,the MMD govt of Rupiah Banda is at rock bottom in popularity so he is desperate to save his face as elections are just round the corner,he’s done enough damage to his popularity that he’ll certainly lose elections if they were held today.
why is zambian run like a kantemba
the whole lot of govt just dreamt that we need to have indaba without consulting key players
en they want to ague in the press
shame
Kunda and RB are paid to solve our problems. That is why they are there, if they can’t let them resign
Kwena ku mwesu nako kaya mwe
LT what is your problem??
I really don’t understand our leaders. We had a talking show in Mwanawasa’s goevrnment which they called an Indaba, we the zed people never benefited anything from that. Again this thing has come, the question is, who is the beneficialy of this nonsense? If it is not the organisers and all their friends who are given to supply whatever they need at this Indaba. We don’t need to spend money to go and talk about problems we know exist, for once lets spend money on finding solutions to the many problems facing our country and its people.
I miss late Mr LP Mwanawasa. As for the UPND, I believe their reasons are justified while the PF’s reasons are not known. All the best anyway to the participants of the INDABA and please do a good job.
Anyone who gets poverty-stricken in Zambia starts a “church” and these are the so-called pastors whose advise we are supposed to listen to? Our media should also learn to distinguish substance from crap. Just because he calls himself “Pastor -in-charge” of his kantemba church doesn’t mean he represents any moral high ground any more than Chiluba’s declaration of Zambia a christian nation made him morally upright!! So spare us the nonsense. On the contrary, the man is a criminal and a home breaker. Now, which church preaches those evils?