The Young African Leaders Initiative has submitted a petition to President Edgar Lungu through the Minister of Justice, Honourable Given Lubinda premised on the fundamental principle that the government should consider the proposal for bipartisan leadership to replace the failed national dialogue process.
YALi President Andrew Ntewewe says the Petition calls on the government to expeditiously move to publish and table the key governance reforms in Parliament.
“We have been very clear from the outset that the failing national dialogue process was initiated with the aim of addressing issues of concern to political stakeholders, to reduce political violence and create an environment that would promote and uphold tolerance and civility in politics”, he said.
Mr. Ntewewe said most importantly the Collapsed Dialogue Process was aimed at facilitating governance reforms to enhance political and social cohesion in the country ahead of future elections and in particular the 2021 elections.
“We want to remind the nation not be distracted from the key issues which are constitutional and institutional reform, electoral reform and the need to institutionalise a culture of tolerance and civility in politics.The petition is motivated by the fact that since mid-2017, the process to clean up the laws and move the reform agenda has stored. No tangible progress has been achieved”, he said
Mr. Ntewewe said the country can not be on a stand still as it must move forward and make progress adding that all Zambians must be alive to the fact that the 2021 elections are around the corner and can not continue to procrastinate any further.
He has since called on the Minister of Justice and the government to quickly and expeditiously provide political direction adding that the country is not at war nor is it coming out of a situation of internal unrest.
Mr. Ntewewe told a media briefing that the government has a mandate given to it by the people of Zambia and have a solemn duty and must execute its roles with diligence.
“The government can not afford to be distracted because the failure of this reform process will not be borne by the Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue or the Church but will be its direct responsibility. We may not need to remind the government that there are so many people who may wish it to fail”, he added.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ntewewe has reminded the opposition that the governance reform agenda is for the good of the country.
“There comes a time when national interest must override political persuasions and agendas. there is a moment for sobriety, maturity and magnanimity! We pray our opposition can see sense in what we saying and jump on the bandwagon and support this governance reform agenda. As we say this we do not mean any malice but wish only for the greater good of our motherland”, he said.
Mr. Ntewewe said the opposition should remember that had they put national interest first, by now the Zambian people would have had an expanded bill of rights.
He has since called on the church to continue praying for Zambia saying this work of seeking blessings for this country, which the church has performed reasonably well since the country attained independence should continue.
“We advise the church to be sensitive, that they are not used to divide this nation by politicians. We say this in all honest and wishing nothing but good will for the church! The church in Zambia can do well to learn from the sad happenings in Rwanda and ensure that Zambia does not become yet another example were the church would be perceived to be fueling confusion as opposed to promoting peace and unity”, Mr. Ntewewe said.
Well done Mr Ntewewe. This process is a sham and the Church has terribly failed
Missed opportunity. The church leaders are opportunistic who seek to push 2021 hidden agenda against pf and this is clear with way alliance are defending church. They re in partnership
Ntewewe is busy insulting the church because he is paid to speak sh*t.
Bigger problem is that the bishops running the dialogue show don’t want to separate their opposition affinity with representing the church. Its clear they re funded by Hichilema and alliance. Regime change using the church
Job well done Andrew
Missed opportunity. The church leaders are opportunistic who seek to push 2021 hidden agenda against pf and this is clear with way alliance are defending church. They re in partnership
Where is this courage coming from? You spitting fire on men of God
I am disappointed that an organisation formed to identify, model and inspire future leaders to be objective and critical in thinking for the benefit of the nation, however it continues to break its own record of reaching higher and higher levels of mediocrity. You have outlived your usefulness. Hardly two months of the church facilitated dialogue process you have condemned it already, Since 2015, where was the government and the parliament in resolving the issues at hand? You are pro-PF that is why you were invited to the meeting, i am pro-Zambia that is the different.
Let’s not just quote out of order. The case of Rwanda is not just a matter of carelessly referring to it. Just make your point and bring in issues without controversy.
Your points are fair without finger pointing we really need a nation with mature politician away from cadreism. It makes our politics look filthy and childish.
Wise words Andrew. We don’t need unlawful bodies like the church meddling with our laws. Parliament is the constitutionally mandated body to handle reforms to our laws.
Let Government govern. There are too many bodies with their own agendas and their loud attempts to on and on from onecgeneral election to another. It’s tiresome to hear so many voices. They know who their local MP is they need to pass concerns to that member.