Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland says the decision to release opposition leader, Hakainde Hichilema, will help to progress peaceful dialogue.
The Secretary-General was responding to the news that Zambia’s Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) had decided to stay the treason case against the leader of the United Party for National Development through what’s called a nolle prosequi.
Expressing delight at the developments Secretary-General Scotland said, the DPP’s decision to issue a nolle prosequi was understandable and that in the circumstances it “is reasonable and offers a unique opportunity for the country to move forward in the interest of all Zambians, and to achieve political cohesion and reconciliation through dialogue.”
She added, “The DPP, as a custodian of the public interest and the rule of law, must have weighed what was in the interest of justice and the public interest at this delicate point in Zambia’s history and decided that, at this material time, it was not in the interest of the public to prosecute the leader of the opposition, especially following the commitment to peace and harmony generously given by both President Lungu and Mr Hichilema to me during my recent visit to Zambia, and their pledge to engage in a constructive, responsible and forward-looking dialogue.
“This is an opportunity for Zambians and their leaders to show the world that the Republic of Zambia still remains a symbol of peace and a beacon of stability, unity and political tolerance in Africa and the Commonwealth.”
The Secretary-General also used the opportunity to thank President Edgar Lungu and Mr Hichilema for their commitment and resolve to move forward, putting the past behind them and looking ahead to jointly and collectively address the issues that have deeply divided the peace-loving people of Zambia.
“I believe Zambians can rely on these leaders to wholeheartedly engage in this process and to craft a democratic, sustainable pathway which will lead the country not just to successful elections in 2021, but beyond,” she said.
Last week the Secretary-General announced that Commonwealth peace envoy Professor Ibrahim Gambari will be deployed to support the dialogue between the parties.
In her statement today she confirmed that Professor Gambari will be arrive in Zambia “at the earliest convenience” and stressed that the Commonwealth and other stakeholders “would work towards ensuring that dialogue outcomes are implemented in good time for the 2021 elections”.
The Secretary-General is due to conclude her peace and relationship building tour of Africa today. She visited Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania, Zanzibar and Mozambique.
Meanwhile, the Delegation of the European Union issued the following statement in agreement with the EU Heads of Mission in Zambia:
The EU Delegation and the Heads of Mission of the EU Member States welcome the agreement on a process of dialogue reached between H.E. Mr. Edgar Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia, and Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, leader of the main opposition party UPND.
The EU Delegation and the Heads of Mission of the EU Member States commend the joint commitment to an inclusive and consultative process towards reforms in preparation for the 2021 elections, facilitated by the Good Offices of the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, as well as the forward-looking approach taken by both to promote peace, stability and harmony in Zambia.
The EU will continue to stand by Zambia in the process of implementation of said reforms, based on the principles of good governance and the rule of law, and in line with the recommendations of the 2016 EU Election Observation Mission.
I have LOST respect for her.
You talk about sovereignty Zambia, well you FAILED the test.
This impasse was brokered by someone outside your intended jurisdiction.
You are puppets of the anointed ones.
This is a FACT
Thanks
BB32014,2016
Mushota Sovereign and being broke don’t go together. Donors speak and poor counties listen…..
Here is a great person, a decent woman and an outstanding character. May God bless you, madam Scotland.
Viva HH
Viva tresphore mpundu
Viva Patricia Scotland
Viva obasanjo
Viva malema
Viva mmusi
Viva mulongoti
Viva nevers
Viva GBM
Viva ka tayali
Viva….. The entire UPND crew.
As accurately predicted, we said he would be released at the State’s discretion in the spirit of reconciliation and this is what has happened!
However should he be tempted once again by some of his coward supporters to commit those same violent acts he may find himself back in the cells!
Well done to the State and to H.E ONE ECL, I applaud you for this gesture Sir!
Next GBM is out…watch this space GBM will be kicked out as UPND Veep!
@2020 Vision you are RIGHT, after all GBM has not been mentioned in HH speech of thanks!!
A monkey saying ati l have lost respect for her who are you? Styopeti lyobe ala.
Sometimes people must know their levels. Aka muntu aka puba aka kunkubiti kaleilinganya na madam Scotland ****** we !
ONE QUESTION THAT UPND HAVE NEVER ANSWERED IS HOW hh WOULD BE BETTER FOR ZAMBIA APART FROM BEING A LEADER OF TRIBALISTIC PARTY???
To think that the nolle prosequi is meant to facilitate the hearing of a petition is to resign from all forms of self awareness beyond the state of being asleep.
HH has come out with a better perspective to life than before.
He cannot block presidential motorcade again even when he is persuaded by his supporters.
He is going to fire some of his advisors, suvh as GBM, and replace them with those he used to refuse advice from.
Look, the lessons learnt by HH come from beyond the borders. He has learnt that when you are agreived you do not break the law and hope you will have international support – that he has learnt.
HH has learnt that when you do not behave, not even the West will support you just because you are in opposition, you got to behave to get support.
The voice of colonist. She bullied the Zambian government and judiciary into submission.
Patricia Scotland ebanakashi aba not ka Dr. Mushota
Now that the treason charge has been proven baseless and unfounded, the IG and all those involved in HH arrest must be immediately FIRED by Lungu.
If this is not done, we will know for sure that they were acting under Lungus orders.
And this was only political harassment and intimidation of a Zambian Citizen whose rights are supposed to be defended by Lungu as President.
And he is not fit to be President!
WHAT DID THIS CHICK SAY TO ECL – DID SHE THREATEN HIM?
==================================
Okay okay okay, I know that women have the skill even to get under the skin of the ruthless KING but I don’t know how this delilah managed to influence Samson-ECL. It’s plain to see that something went down. This commonwealth chick looks devious. I rest my case.
Hearing HH speak today after being released I doubt this dialogue issue. I hope Scotland is prepared to finish want she has started. Let’s wait and see
PhD waiting to make a comment!
One of the kind this woman… I Did not imagine Jonatha’s pairs could be twisted by this lady and succumbs. Am waiting for Senior Citizen’s comments though. He always pretends to know what he is talking about and neutral when he is totally clueless.
She simply threaten Jameson with no donor support and Chakolwa listened.
Money rules the world, you can’t say “Nyoo” to the big donors, they say release HH and he is released….PF now with tales between their legs…kikikiki. Where is the “we are a sovereign state”? kikikik
Wrong decision!
I AGREE ENTIRELY
She is the very opposite of Mumbi Phiri. Is education what is making the difference?
Mumbi Phiri is not a lawyer but we can say she is the very opposite of Mushipe.
VERY SOON, LUNGU IS GOING TO UNDERSTAND HOW INTERNATIONAL POLITICS WORK and he will soon see the regret having surrounded himself with “empty headed suckers” that cannot fight in intellect against imperialist political machinery!! THIS COMMONWEALTH things is an entire network of British Interest that uses veiled “common” to keep in check former African colonies! WITH EVERYTHING DISCUSSED IN SECRECY, I WILL NOT BE SURPRISED WHEN AT SOME STAGE LUNGU WILL CRY FOUL!! It is people like KK, Mugabe, Mandela who know(knew) how to deal with such international imperialist structures and people like Museveni. Lungu with his uncouth advisers are TOO RAW to know what is at play and may wake up too late!!Let us the space!!
people SHOULD NOT MISUNDERSTAND THIS RELEASE OF HH TO FREEDOM, HH and the UPND ARE not saying we forget about the PAST (like recognise ECL as a winner of 2016) no these UPND will dialogue and put 2016 as first agenda , after that other issues like CONSTITUTION WILL COME IN, WAIT U ARE IN FOR A RUDE SHOCK , UPND will put 2016 as NO. 1 AGENDA LOL
@ANYOKO: TO THE CONTRARY, THE AGREEMENT WAS TO PUT 2016 ELECTIONS BEHIND. EVEN HH KNOWS THAT. HE UNDERSTANDS THAT 2016 ELECTIONS IS WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE NOW.
Look, don’t think that Mukobeko is a university.
HH failed to handle his petition before going to Mukobeko, and now you think Mukobeko has educated him or improved his thinking?
What is it that you think Mukobeko has assisted to fix in HH that you feel he has come out improved?
If he decides to misbehave now, the law will complete it course this time.
Respectable Baroness we hope Akainde Ichilema won’t disappoint you by going back on his word for peace and moving forward.
The minion he’s capable of launching his failed petition he cant be trusted. He hasn’t even contributed to City Market which his followers gutted.
He also has to explain his role in 90s privatization deals and corruption
Kudos, icibemba catile “Insoni e Mano”. You guys must be ashamed of yourselves and whatever you’ve been advising ka cakolwa. If I were you, I’d keep quiet and reflect for a moment. You’ve been defeated clean and fair! ??????????????????
Why don’t you and HH Ovary Head get a room?
***** Kudos you thought HH was going to rot in jail, woo, shemuna, haters will cry. HH ni munthu. Now you are walking with shame, your tail in between your legs shame on you i.diot.
IN KASEMPA, UPND CADRES THOUGHT HH WAS GOING TO STATE HOUSE STRAIGHT FROM PRISON.
laughable
To think that the nolle prosequi is meant to facilitate the hearing of a petition is to resign from all forms of self awareness beyond the state of being asleep.
HH has come out with a better perspective to life than before.
He cannot block presidential motorcade again even when he is persuaded by his supporters.
He is going to fire some of his advisors, suvh as GBM, and replace them with those he used to refuse advice from.
Look, the lessons learnt by HH come from beyond the borders. He has learnt that when you are agreived you do not break the law and hope you will have international support – that he has learnt.
HH has learnt that when you do not behave, not even the West will support you just because you are in opposition, you got to behave to get support.
@6.1 Chisenga,
Look, don’t think that Mukobeko is a university.
HH failed to handle his petition before going to Mukobeko, and now you think Mukobeko has educated him or improved his thinking?
What is it that you think Mukobeko has assisted to fix in HH that you feel he has come out improved?
If he decides to misbehave now, the law will complete it course this time.
I think Lungu should hand over the ‘stolen presidency’ to this woman .
We are at back at square one… There is no politcal tension in this country. So what is all this noise and dust about?
Is IMF going to give us the $1.6 B kaloba now?
the money will be stolen by chagwa chakolwa and his pf team of criminals…lol
Madam Patricia, Zambia was a better place with hh inside the jail, you are delighted to bring a person out of jail, who burns our markets, courts, what kind of nonsense is this? Tell you boss whatever will happen to mother Zambia I will heap it on your heard. We are a peace loving Nation.
The knows it is pf behind the arson attacks to further that SOE……mrs Scotland saw the thuggery in pf ….
VERY SOON, LUNGU IS GOING TO UNDERSTAND HOW INTERNATIONAL POLITICS WORK and he will soon see the regret having surrounded himself with “empty headed suckers” that cannot fight in intellect against imperialist political machinery!! THIS COMMONWEALTH things is an entire network of British Interest that uses veiled “common” to keep in check former African colonies! WITH EVERYTHING DISCUSSED IN SECRECY, I WILL NOT BE SURPRISED WHEN AT SOME STAGE LUNGU WILL CRY FOUL!! It is people like KK, Mugabe, Mandela who know(knew) how to deal with such international imperialist structures and people like Museveni. Lungu with his uncouth advisers are TOO RAW to know what is at play and may wake up too late!!Let us watch the space!!
We can never develop with the kind of thinking being exposed by these Pathetic Front.
It is bigger than releasing HH. It’s about survival of our institutions of democracy, with or without HH or ECL.
Focus should now be on fixing the system broken by the ConCourt and busterdized by the Police Force (PF).
Lombe i think you are correct, the bailout ofv1.5 billion is more than likely now.
Disappointed that HE ECL has not addressed the nation on the release. His silence is a bad look for him.
Amos and mumbi your silence is golden also
Next one to be locked up for good at mukobeko is the nasty bitch named Mushota so we can have peace on LT.
Zambia is made up of people who ran away from conflicts all over southern and central Africa, in short, we are all cowards.as Zambians, one quality encompasses all of us, all talk no action….
Good morning President HH , how was last night in bed after 127 Days of masterbating? HH never said he recognized ECL as head of state or 2016 winner, thus where the problem is , to him PETITION IS number one to be discussed MARK my words but PF will not be interested discussing 2016 hence dialogue will never start but nishi HH alifuma kale ..politics yachabe MuNE
IF YOU HEAR HH SPEAK YOU REALISE HE IS ALREADY GOING AGAINST THE DEAL AND SHE WILL SEE HIM FOR WHO HE IS
kilings will start soon. the master kila is out now.
Gentlemen and Ladies,I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW :What is the salary of the Permanent secretary in the ministries in Zambia today?
ok
Congrats Madam Secretary. You have done a noble thing for the country Zambia. Viva Commonwealth
Prophecy. I fore see blood shade in 2021 when HH loses elections again for the seventh time. I know for sure that UPND will not win and probably will never ever form Government.