Chongwe Member of Parliament Japhen Mwakalombe says Zambia has made great strides in entrenching tenets of democracy since its re-introduction in 1991.
And First Vice President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Zambia National Group Rodgers Mwewa said the day among many other things, accords the general citizenry a chance to reflect on the core principles of democracy.
Meanwhile, Acting Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia Cecilia Mbewe says parliamentary reforms are bearing fruits.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Mwakalombe who is also Lusaka Province Minister, said Zambia has a flourishing democracy in Africa.
He implored both young and old people in the country to continue working towards safeguarding the democratic gains scored in the recent past for posterity.
Ambassador Mwakalombe was speaking during the belated commemoration of this year’s International Day of Democracy(IDD) under the theme: “ln Defence of Democracy: The 20th Anniversary of the Inter- Parliamentary Union (IPU)’s Universal Declaration of Democracy.”
Scores of people from all walks of life attended the event held at Chongwe Parliamentary Office today.
“My hope is that the people of Chongwe, both young and old Will reflect on the country’s democracy and reaffirm their commitment to defending these principles by allowing democracy to thrive and create a better Zambia politically, socially and economically for posterity through these activities,” he noted.
And speaking at the same event, First Vice President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Zambia National Group (IPUZNG) Rodgers Mwewa said his group held various activities aimed at engaging the public on democracy.
Mr. Mwewa who is also Mwansabombwe Member of Parliament cited a week long media campaign focused on raising awareness on respects of human rights, the rule of law and equality between men and women.
“Today’s event is significant as it marks the dual milestones of the first 10th anniversary of the IDD and secondly the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the IPU’s Universal Declaration on Democracy,” he said.
Earlier, Acting Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia Cecilia Mbewe said the National Assembly has continued to implement parliamentary reforms aimed at bring parliament closer to the people.
Mrs. Mbewe pointed out that establishing of constituency offices in all the 156 constituencies is meant to increase the level of participation in governance issues with their MPs.
“This office is a formal and politically neutral place where an MP and voters can meet and discuss developmental issues,” She explained.
Chinsali MP Kalalwe Mukosa, Chongwe Municipal Council Mayor Geoffrey Chuumbwe, Serenje Central MP Maxwell Kabanda and Lumezi MP Philila Jere attended the event.
The IDD is held annually on the 15th September, but was held today owing a hectic parliamentary schedule.
Thank you for drawing the world`s attention to exactly what the opposite we are becoming.Sometimes it helps to keep quiet over our weaknesses and try to work on them than to be on the defensive .Is it not yestarday than people`s rights were violeted?
What flourishing??
When people are arrested for asking government to account for mismanagement of resources and gross alleged theft?
When people are constantly detained and charged with treason and/or terrorism?
When elections are rigged? When state of emergency in disguise is in full swing?
So tell me, is that democracy? We can’t even tell Jonathan that we disagree with his methods.
Wake up my brother. Your portion from this cancer is crumbs, don’t pretend coz you are just as hungry as I am, and you do not benefit from your blind support of a malfunctioning leadership that is always absent from the wheel.
It is tulu but thugs from UPND can’t say that because it is not a Namwala guy in the office.
THIS GUY IS JUST WISHFUL THINKING. DOES HE REALLY BELIEVE WHAT HE IS SAYING?
That is what happens when in a country the least educated, the least wise. the least exposed, the least moral, the least wealth, the least shameless, take power. They will defend everything to fill their own pockets. Our country is on a slippery slope in terms of democracy, accountability but oh yes on the rise for injustice and corruption. State capture by a few for self interest. We have to give it to them for hoodwinking the majority while they are being robbed left right and centre. When this man is out of the system he wont be talking these falsehoods.
This is inbreed thinking when one thinks they are doing a tremendous job, when in reality it is a disaster! PF is the worst government ever led by a dim-wit! There you go! A dim-wit leading other dim-wits! There you go. They think they are special and have something to offer. Thank God smart people distance themselves.
Try a Kenyan style annulment of presidential election to really test if Zambia is still a flourishing democracy bwana Mwakalombe.
If doners are sponsoring you we will try to see to it you get no more money from them……we will petition them with the recent firegate scandal for which you are zeeeeee.
Democracy will only come to Zambia when the tribal “bantustan” party comes to power in 2047.
You have a point, by then probably the values of the bantu people might just bring the sanity of decency, morality, justice and true democracy and remove the tribal mafia group of the congolese brigade and their criminal tribal cousins who are nothing more than corrupt, thieving and a plundering minority for the few and the many. Fortunately their own people would have seen the deceipt and democracy will return
Tanzanians, kindly assist Zambia with Magufuli just for a year before it is too late. We have Kleptomaniacs for leaders! Lord have mercy. This Chongwe guy can’t even resolve Road issues in his Meanwood Kwamwena and he is busy talking nonsense about what he does not understand. It’s time Meanwood residents teamed up and Sue Meanwood for breach of the sales agreement! We are tired of replacing shocks on new vehicles!
If there ever was a need to make psychiatric assessment of the Parliamentary candidates, Mr Mwakalombe is number one on the list.
Ba minishta, have you checked “progress” of ABANDONED “unprecedented development” in your constituency? SHAME ON YOU!!!
USELESS PARASITE pretending to be democratic leader!!!
You dreamer are you living in Zambia???????????
Am with you Mwakalombe. Nizoona, some of the bloggers here should try and go live in Sudan, Ethiopia, DRC, Swaziland, Eritrea and see if they will enjoy the absolute freedoms and unlimited liberties they are enjoying under his HE ECL profound leadership. ECL we love you and shall die for you!
Why should they try living in countries that are not their home? What a retrogressive way of looking at issues!
Reflects your retrogressive thinking indeed .If your standards are compared only with the worst and not the better you should aspire to surpass then you are doomed.Change your mindset in order to progress!
What demagoguery! What democracy in Zambia?
Surely, is democracy about selection of demagues? Apart from at independency and in 1991, ever since when did Zambia hold credible elections – bribary, govt media, govt resources, rigging, my foot!
Democracy comprises at least four major components re elections (rather than selections), participation, rule of law (not rule by man: who can refuse to handover power to Speaker when a valid petitions is filed against him, and human rights – not arresting people for peaceful protests.
So, where is democracy: government of the peoplem, by the people, for the people?
2021 you are OUT RONALD NYANGU of the UPND is winning , last year we made a mistake to adopt MASEBO on the expense of a youthful NYANGU, U ARE ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVES IN BOOT LICKING , WHO DOESNT KNOW THAT SATA PAID U TO JOIN PF FROM MMD AND UPND THEN LATER TOOK U TO MOZAMBIQUE WHERE U LOOTED MONEY, THE AUDITORS REPORT IS THEIR ..PAY BACK THE MONEY,
Stoopid headline. Can Zambia have a flourishing democracy in America? It can only be where Zambia is.