The Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has condemned the planned boycott of the international women and youth day commemorations by the opposition Patriotic Front (PF).
SACCORD Executive Director Boniface Cheembe said the two events are national occasions which are supposed to be recognised and participated by all political parties.
Mr. Cheembe said this in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.
“As SACCORD, we have taken note of the long-standing political culture where the biggest opposition political party in the country decides to opt not to participate in national events. This was the trend when the PF were in opposition as well as the UPND. This has continued to be the trend even now when the PF are back in the opposition,” he observed.
Mr. Cheembe said this culture of boycotting national events does not serve any purpose and only seeks to bring about disunity.
He said it is up to the Zambian people to deliberate over the matter and decide whether this is the political culture that they want to continue harbouring or not.
“This is not new, it has been with us for decades and it is not helpful. It is unfortunate and regrettable but this is what everybody has practiced,” he stated.
He added that, “the challenge is us the people embracing a political culture that may not be of interest to Zambia. When there are national events, ideally speaking all political parties are supposed to participate irrespective of political differences”.
Mr. Cheembe explained that national events foster national unity hence people need to come together and effectively contribute to national development.
He has since urged Zambians to accept or reject the political culture currently being exhibited.
You are right. How I wish you had been doing the same when Upnd was boycotting national days.
Niba kulu aba bantu. They have made their decision lets move on.
Where was this mor0n when upnd was boycotting all the events?
Loafers don’t attend such events
Please understand that most of our politicians are childish. They’re so pumped up as if it’s a great achievement to be a leader in a political Party. Most of them can’t even tell the difference between the digit 2 and the letter Z. Where is Freedom Chomba Sikazwe? He caused mayhem in Mbala during campaigns
Protest is allowed in a democracy. Let no one condemn the PF for this decision.
YES YES YES LEAVE PF ALONE AND LET THEM CARRY ON DIGGING THEIR GRAVE DEEPER
LUBINDA MUST BE PRAISED FOR HEADING THEM IN THAT DIRECTION
You should be expediting energy towards real issues such as a strategic response plan to mitigate the impact of likely oil hikes due to the European war as well as the impact of the drought on food security.
At some point the childish nonsense has to stop or be stopped and legislation to the effect can come in handy! Much as protest is a right in political dispensation those choosing to use any means of legal protest should be able to ascertain the categories under which a protest of any sort is evoked! National functions that have no political polarity should be part of patriotism than politicking! It’s one thing if any political party hosts a function skewed towards it gaining pecuniary advantage over other political parties and another when whichever party heading government is leading activities at a function commemorating recognized national events. What is the protest by PF of boycotting the women and youth day celebrations portray? That they are not happy with the women and youth…
This f00I never said the same when upnd boycotted. Today he is speaking out of his a.z.z.. it doesn’t surprise us, just look at his name you will know what region it comes from. Fuseke
You vuvuzela troll #10 did you know PF boycotted public order/hygiene standards some few yrs ago and Zambians died of cholera? So please stfu.
The message not the messenger should be our focus
Criticism should not carry bias.
His MASTERS VOICE! keep Quiet!
Actually it’s only PF leaders that boycotted maybe scared of not getting to sit on the high table anymore. All the PF women clad in their PF chitenges were actually marching with the other women. I have pictures to prove it.