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The four main opposition parties have unanimously charged that the 18 January national dialogue organized by the three Church Mother Bodies is in a hurry to put UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema to State House.
The quartet comprising mainly the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), Libral Party (ULP) and Rainbow Party have charged that the three church mother bodies are sidelining the Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID) to pave way for Mr. Hichilema to be President.
Speaking at a joint press briefing held in Lusaka yesterday, the leaders of the opposition namely Felix Mutati the MMD faction leader, Edith Nawakwi’s FDD, Sakwiba Sikota for ULP and Rainbow Party General Secretary Wynter Kabimba said during a joint press briefing in Lusaka yesterday the Church mother bodies and their Alliance conveniently omitted the fundamental issues and importance in the dialogue process.
Mr Kabimba charged that this omission of fundamental issues is deliberate because facts exposes their duplicity and ultimately political scheme.
“ We now do just that so that the Zambian people can make a fair judgement,” Kabimba said wondering how the failed national dialogue launch held at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on 18th January, 2019, was issued by the opposition Alliance when the quartet did not attend the said launch.
“The truth of the matter is that the purported national dialogue launched was a failure in its attempt to promote the image of one political party namely the UPND,” he said.
The leaders of the four parties said the level of hypocrisy exhibited by UPND and the “ church “ Alliance is unacceptable and consequently described the 18 January meeting as unproductive.
‘‘It’s a vehicle for regime change and nothing else. We don’t see the success of the national dialogue and reconciliation process as a pre-requisite to our winning the 2021 general elections,” they submitted.
The four leaders however seeking an appointment with the three bishops on the next course of action with FDD leader Edith Nawakwi assuring that quartet remain committed to legal reforms that would help promote peace and stability in the country.
The highly anticipated relaunch of Zambia Airways has for the second time been deferred.
The relaunch is now expected to take place in the third quarter of 2019.
The rebirth of Zambia Airways was initiated planned for October 2th 2018 but was forced to be pushed to April 2019, a date which has also been deferred.
This time around, Government hopes to finally put all logistics in place to enable it launch around the third quarter of this year.
Sources at the Ministry of Transport and Communications have revealed that there have been disagreements over the operations model for the airline submitted by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).
The sources said technocrats at the Ministry are objected to the type of aircrafts the IDC and its shareholder Ethiopian Airlines wants to purchase fearing that they may result in losses.
In its model submitted to the Ministry, the IDC wants Zambia Airways to build a fleet of 12 aircraft by 2028 using the US$30 million initial investment.
It hopes to be transporting 1.9 million passengers by 2028 adding that “it will put in place a performance driven culture to ensure the airline is commercial viable.”
According to the plan, Zambia Airways will initially operate regional routes, subsequently expanding to intercontinental destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
The sources have revealed that the Zambian government prefers purchasing smaller aircrafts such as the Embraer SA’s E2-family E195 or Bombardier Inc.’s C Series but that Ethiopian Airlines appears to be inclined to add Boeing Co.’s 737 Max 7 or even Boeing 787 Dreamliners to the fleet.
The sources disclosed that Transport and Communications Permanent Secretary Misheck Lungu will soon toe travelling to Ethiopia to try to convince the partners (Ethiopian Airlines) to agree on the choice of aircrafts.
They said the other reason for the delay is that the newly appointed Zambia Airlines Board of Directors is yet to meet for its inaugural board meeting.
“What this means is that the Board will have to wait before they could meet until P.S Lungu returns from Ethiopia and submits a report on what type of equipment to go with. As we speak now, the launch is postponed because there hasn’t been any agreement on the type of equipment to purchase. Government doesn’t want to buy larger planes which will only service regional and domestic routes, it will be counterproductive and unsustainable,” the source said.
“Further, we don’t have a CEO yet, the board will have to meet first to determine how the question of the CEO will be dealt with the other shareholder. There are some suggestions from Addis Ababa that they give us a CEO but Government seems against that proposal so these are the reasons for the deferment.
Zambia Airways was established in 1964 and operated flights to London, Frankfurt, Rome and Amsterdam, as well as regional destinations.
It ran into financial troubles and was liquidated in 1995.
Ethiopian Airlines will hold a 45 per cent stake in the revived Zambia Airways, while IDC will hold the remaining 55 per cent.
Zesco United took command of Group C on match-day-one of the 2018/2019 CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday following a 2-0 home win over Nkana at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Kitwe.
John Chingandu put Zesco ahead in the 27th minute in a first half they dominated that also saw Jesse Were playing about his best game to date for the 2017 CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinalists.
Lazarus Kambole, who had been knocking on Nkana’s door the entire first half, took Zesco 2-0 into the break with a superb curling shot on the stroke of halftime to take his continental tally to five goals and tied with Were.
Then Nkana attempted to conjure a 2019 Charity Shield rally from January 26 that they won 5-4 on post-match penalties after coming back to draw 1-1 with Zesco in the 90 minutes.
However, this time Zesco were ready for them with some disciplined defending while second-choice goalkeeper Dieudonne Ntibahezwa redeemed himself with stellar display between the posts.
Zesco lead on 3 points, tied with Al Hilal of Sudan who are second following a 1-0 home win over third placed Asante Kotoko of Ghana on the same date in Khartoum.
Nkana are bottom of the group as they prepare to host Al Hilal on February 13 in Kitwe while Zesco travel to Ghana to face Asante Kotoko on the same date.
MMD faction President Felix Mutati, FDD President Edith Nawakwi, ULP President Sakwiba Sikota and Raimbow Party leader Wynter Kabimba sign the national anthem at the start of a press briefing at Pamodzi Hotel.
FDD President Edith Nawakwi says the national dialogue failed because the UPND wanted other political parties to champion their agenda.
During a joint media briefing at Taj Pamodzi Hotel with Rainbow Party’s Wynter Kabimba, Sakwiba Sikota’s United Liberal Party (ULP) and MMD’s Felix Mutati, Nawakwi said the UPND reneged on most commonly agreed positions by the opposition political parties before the January 18, 2019 national dialogue.
Mrs. Nawakwi cataloged the steps leading up to the launch that included meetings with all opposition political parties.
She said that opposition political parties met under the auspices of the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) where ADD’s Charles Milupi and Sikota were appointed co-chairpersons but the UPND aligned forces opened another meeting point with the Church Mother Bodies.
“The purported launch of National Dialogue on the 18th January, 2019 was a failure because it was an attempt by the UPND to take control of the process,” Mrs. Nawakwi said.
“The rest of us were to be used as tokens to promote the UPND agenda.”
Mrs. Nawakwi said the UPND branded political parties that did not turn for the national dialogue as surrogates of the Patriotic Front.
She said that all the political parties were agreed that the Church Mother Bodies should chair the dialogue process with the ZCID providing a supporting role.
Mrs. Nawakwi said the political parties already had an agreed agenda from their meeting in June 2018 in Siavonga.
She said that all political parties had signed the Memorandum of Understanding including the UPND.
Mrs. Nawakwi said the constitutional and electoral reforms were more important than the national dialogue.
“It is legal reforms which will promote peace and stability,” she said.
Mrs. Nawakwi said the Church Mother Bodies were being deceived by the UPND in the run up to the dialogue process.
Below is the full briefing
PRESS BRIEFING BY PARTY PRESIDENTS OF MMD, FDD, ULP AND GENERAL SECRETARY OF RAINBOW PARTY ON THE NATIONAL DIALOGUE PAMODZI HOTEL, LUSAKA 03RD FEBRUARY, 2019
1. Members of the Press, Ladies and Gentlemen. We wish to welcome you all to this press briefing which is intended to provide the true facts of the events on the impasse between the Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue and the three Bishops of the three Church Mother Bodies. Further we wish to give a response to the press statement issued by the Opposition Alliance on Friday, 1st February, 2019.
2.The Opposition Alliance has conveniently omitted the issues of fundamental importance and agreement during the meetings referred to in their press statement. The omission is deliberate because stating the actual facts would expose their duplicity and ultimately their political scheme. We now intend to do just that so that the Zambian people can make a fair judgement.
3. To set the record straight, we have uplifted the paragraphs from the Opposition Alliance press statement and contrasted the lies with the actual facts. We wish to state at the out-set that all the proceedings in the meetings we held with the Opposition Alliance were duly recorded and a verbatim record is available.
4.When we first met with members of the Opposition Alliance at the Law Association of Zambia Secretariat on 24th January, 2019, the Chairperson of the Opposition Alliance, Mr. Charles Milupi asked a question whether or not we ourselves were meeting them as an alliance. It was made very clear to them that we were separate political parties and independent of each other.
At this meeting president Sakwiba and president Milupi were appointed as co-chairpersons. We were not surprised at the question because after the failed launch of the National Dialogue held at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on 18th January, 2019, a statement was issued by the Opposition Alliance calling those of us who did not attend the said launch as surrogate political parties of the Patriotic Front.
5.Let me now address the relevant paragraphs in the Opposition Alliance press statement.
I. In paragraph 2, the Opposition Alliance states that:
‘‘We in the Opposition Alliance decided to approach the Church Mother Bodies and seek counsel on whether there is any role that we could play to assist in addressing the concerns of our colleagues in the Patriotic Front regarding this on-going National Dialogue and Reconciliation process.”
II. In paragraph 3, the statement states that:
‘‘The Church Mother Bodies advised that Opposition Alliance to reach out to our Brothers and Sisters in the Patriotic Front and affiliated Political Parties and to sit down with them. With the aim of seeking to resolve our differences, actual or perceived.’’
The factual position is as follows:
On the evening of Friday, 18th January 2019, on their own initiative the concerned Party Presidents namely: Hon. Sakwiba Sikota SC, Hon. Felix Mutati and Hon. Edith Nawakwi went to Kapingila House to meet the three Bishops namely Bishop George Lungu, Bishop Alfred Kalembo and Bishop Paul Mususu. The purpose of the meeting was to seek to resolve the differences between the Bishops and ZCID.
The follow-up meeting was held on 19th January, 2019, in which the four (4) Party Presidents presented a Draft Memorandum of Understanding from ZCID to the bishops. The bishops advised that they needed time to peruse through the documents and would revert to the Party Presidents after consultations. It was quite clear in the meeting that there were no major differences with the text in the Memorandum of Understanding. The bishops commended the Party Presidents for the initiative and emphasized the urgency to conclude and sign the Memorandum of Understanding.
While waiting for a response from the bishops with regards to the Memorandum of Understanding, president Charles Milupi contacted president Sakwiba Sikota requesting for a meeting which culminated into a meeting of Thursday, 24th January, 2019.
When we met with the Opposition Alliance on 24th January, 2019, we had no idea that they were coming to the meeting as EMISSARIES of the bishops. In that meeting the Patriotic Front were not present as they were not invited. There were no differences “actual or perceived” between the Opposition Alliance and any Political Parties present in that meeting. We did not know the concerns of the Patriotic Front in respect of the National Dialogue which the bishops wanted the Opposition Alliance (as EMMISARIES) to assist them in resolving.
The truth of the matter is that the purported launch on 18th January, 2019, was a failure in its attempt to promote the image of one Political Party namely the United Party for National Development. The rest of us were to be used as tokens to promote that agenda, and hence the reference to us as surrogates of Patriotic Front.
6. In paragraph 5, the statement reads that:
‘‘the other side identified the draft Memorandum of Understanding that was intended to define the relationship between the Church Mother Bodies and the Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID) which had not yet been signed as a major sticking point’’.
The draft Memorandum of Understanding was a document generated through consultative meetings between the Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue and the three Church Mother Bodies including United Party for National Development. However, the United Party for National Development President in the meeting pleaded ignorance of its existence. He requested for a copy which was given to him. It was then agreed that the meeting be adjourned to the following day, with the Memorandum of Understanding as the agenda item. At this stage the Opposition Alliance suggested that the Patriotic Front should be invited to the meeting so as to rally consensus of all Parties on the Memorandum of Understanding.
7. In paragraph 9, the statement reads that:
‘‘All Parties were agreeable to the fact that the three Church Mother Bodies will lead and Chair the ongoing National Dialogue and Reconciliation Process as they had ably done thus far, and that Zambia Center for Interparty Dialogue will assist with the process as delegated by the Church Mother Bodies from time to time’’.
This paragraph is a complete and deliberate distortion of what transpired and it’s clearly intended to please some quarters including the three Church Mother Bodies for reasons only the Opposition Alliance would understand.
The verbatim transcript will show that all Parties agreed:
(a) That the three Church Mother Bodies will lead and Chair the National Dialogue.
(b) That there shall be a joint secretariat which will not be situated at Kapingila House or Zambia Center for Interparty Dialogue premises.
(c) That the secretariat shall be composed of staff seconded thereto by both Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue and the Church Mother Bodies and other relevant offices.
(d) That the Secretariat shall be headed by an independent professional person.
(e) That there shall be a National Dialogue Bank Account to be jointly managed by the church and ZCID. This is for the purposes of promoting transparency and accountability.
(f) That the agenda for the National Dialogue shall be as agreed by all Political Parties in SIAVONGA in June, 2018, with room to include any new items during the plenary session of all Political Party Presidents and all stakeholders.
It is important here to point out that at the end of the meeting on the Memorandum of Understanding, Mr. Charles Milupi as co-chair emphasized that all Parties would now go and meet the three Church Mother Bodies as a united front. It was also agreed that the two co-chairs Presidents SAKWIBA SIKOTA and CHARLES MULUPI would go and submit the Memorandum of Understanding in advance of the meeting bishops.
On Sunday 27th January, 2019, the Co-Chairpersons went to meet the bishops and delivered the agreed Memorandum of Understanding. They were shocked to learn that the bishops were already in possession of the Memorandum of Understanding. The bishops informed the co-chairs that Mr. Sean Tembo had already delivered the said Memorandum of Understanding and the bishops confirmed that the Memorandum of Understanding delivered by the co-chairs was exactly the same and that they had already reacted in writing to the document.
8. At the behest of co-chair Hon Milupi a meeting of political parties was called without an agenda at the Pamodzi Hotel on Tuesday 29th January, 2019. To our dismay the United Party for National Development and its Alliance Parties reneged on almost all clauses agreed to during the meeting on Friday 25th January 2019, and attempted to re-open debate on the Memorandum of Understanding based on the comments made by the bishops.
We then asked them as to whether they were speaking on behalf of the bishops or they had changed their minds about what was agreed document in the meeting of Friday 25th January 2019 concerning the texts of the same MOU.
In response they said that they had not changed their minds but they argued that the document didn’t reflect the spirit of the discussion. We advised them that there was no need to respond to the spirit of the meeting when the text to which agreed was very clear.
It was a strange coincidence that the issues on which they wanted to reopen the debate were exactly the same as the comments raised by the bishops’ reactions in the Memorandum of Understanding. This level of hypocrisy was unacceptable.
When the Opposition Alliance insisted on reopening the debate, we proposed to them that the verbatim recording be played to the meeting in order to settle the argument. At which stage the UPND president stated that if we went ahead to play the recording, he would walk away and the dialogue process will collapse. With that threat from the UPND president the meeting collapsed because it was clear that the meeting was unproductive.
Members of the press, we now clearly understand the maneuvers and capitulation by UPND and its alliance as stated in their press statement in paragraph 20 in the Opposition Alliance press Statement which reads:
‘‘We do not see the possible success of the National Dialogue and Reconciliation Process as a pre-requisite to our winning the 2021 general Elections, but rather as merely complimentary. A successful National Dialogue and Reconciliation process would ensure a peaceful transition of power in 2021, whereas a failed process would bring about a chaotic transition of power in 2021.’’
From the foregoing, it is clear to see and understand that the National Dialogue is only important if it guarantees the United Party for National Development and its Alliance Parties a gateway to state House in 2021. It is a vehicle for regime change and nothing else.
A United Party for National Development in power would see no need for such dialogue. This agenda by the United Party for National Development and its Alliance Parties has many players. This was clear from some of the speeches delivered during the purported launch on 18th January 2019.
It is for this reason that issues such as a transparent bank account are met with strong resistance from the Opposition Alliance. It is also for this same reason that a joint secretariat and other issues collectively agreed by all Political Parties in the meeting of Friday, 25th January, 2019 had now become contentious and obstacles in preparing for the National Dialogue Process.
We wish to take this opportunity to inform the Nation that yesterday on 02nd February, 2019, we submitted a letter seeking an appointment with the three bishops on the next course of action.
As political parties we remain committed to legal reforms which will promote peace and stability in our country.
Issued by:
Hon. Sakwiba Sikota SC President-United Liberal Party
Hon. Felix Mutati President-Movement for Multiparty Democracy.
Hon. Edith Nawakwi President-Forum for Democracy and Development.
Hon.Wynter M. Kabimba SC ODS General Secretary-Rainbow Party.
Zambia’s Celebrated football icon Kalusha Bwalya says the reprieve of his two year ban by FIFA appeals committee will allow him make positive contribution to football administration.
Kalusha says he is happy that the truth has prevailed and his innocence proven, although under difficult circumstances.
The 1998 Africa footballer of the year said his initial two year ban from football administration was unimaginable as it prevented him from doing what he loves most.
He said the period of his suspension was a difficult period for him and his family including people that have supported his football career.
Kalusha said the earlier decision by FIFA to suspend him from football activities came as a shock to him, owing to the fact he had never faced any disciplinary action during his entire footballing life.
He added that he was confident that the truth would prevail despite the stigma that is associated with an Africans.
“I was confident that the truth in the end would prevail, but you never know because there are so many things that can influence a decision and also coming from Africa, there is a lot of stigma that comes with it,” Kalusha said.
He has since thanked the FIFA appeals committee for having listened to his case favorably.
Kalusha, commonly known as The Great Kalu in the football circles, also expressed his gratitude to government officials, football administrators, football players and his former playmates for giving him strength and comfort during his suspension.
“I am glad it’s over and I can get on with doing what I love the most and that is being involved in football, and making a positive difference. Football is my life,” he said.
The football icon was speaking in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the aftermath of FIFA appeals committee reprieving his two year ban which was slapped on him following allegation of impropriety by the world’s football governing body.
Last week, the FIFA Appeal Committee partially upheld the appeal lodged by Kalusha Bwalya and reduced the sanction previously imposed by the adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Committee in its decision dated 12 April 2018.
After analysing and taking into consideration all the circumstances of the case, the FIFA Appeal Committee decided to reduce the duration of the ban from taking part in any football-related activity imposed on Mr Bwalya to the period already served at the time of the notification of the present decision.
As a consequence, the ban imposed on Mr Bwalya ended upon notification of the decision of the FIFA Appeal Committee. Furthermore, a fine of CHF 10,000 had been imposed on Mr Bwalya.
National Democratic Congress consultant and rebel Roan Constituency PF member of parliament has said that he will not follow the example of former Bahati Constituency Member of Parliament, Harry Kalaba and resign from the ruling Patriotic Front Party.
In a telephone interview, Mr Kambwili alleged that Mr Kalaba resigned his position as Foreign Affairs Minister in 2018 after learning that President Edgar Lungu was scheduled to fire him.
Kambwili, who was challenged to resign from the ruling party and vacate the seat by PF Secretary General Davies Mwila just like Harry Kalaba did on Tuesday instead of clinging to his seat through the courts, said he would not do so because he was not a pretender and deceiver.
“Tell Mwila, the PF and whoever, that I am not a copycat, I am not a pretender, I am not a ‘chancer’ and I am not a deceiver. I cannot, in all my political life, know that tomorrow I will be fired, and then resign two days before,” he said. “I can never do that because that is deceiving the people.”
“I cannot be expelled today, and tomorrow I go in public that I have resigned. That is deceiving and being a chancer, hoodwinking the people to believe that you have integrity. I am a very straightforward politician. I believe in calling a spade a spade and not a pick for the sake of impression,” he said.
“Those that can deceive the people by resigning when they knew that there was a letter for them to be fired from government must not be role models because such people are deceivers. And by the way, when you go to all the ministries where I have worked, when I was removed people became sad. The mood at the ministry was low as they said ‘we have lost a leader, a brother’ but ask others wherever they worked when they were removed and resigned people celebrated, including their own drivers and secretaries.”
Mr Kambwili, in reference to Mr kalaba, further said that some people aspiring to be national leaders were far from it as their record in dealing with people and their subordinates was nothing to write home about.
“People could not even go to their offices but today they want to cheat the people that they are saviours and care about the people!” he remarked.
Kambwili said unlike him, Kalaba could not challenge his expulsion because the PF followed the laid down procedure to oust his from the party.
He said his case was different because the party constitution was not followed when he was expelled hence his going to court.
The launch of the National dialogue and reconciliation at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy cross in Lusaka, Zambia
By Isaac Mwanza
Introduction
In the last article, I discussed the issues under dispute which some fellow citizens thought to be subject to the national dialogue; I also pointed out that there could be an iceberg factor, that is, issues which the parties would not want to publicly admit. It is now important to explain the parties to the much-talked about national political dialogue process in order to acquire a better insight into the parties’ motivations, aspirations and interests.
A dialogue that has divided the nation
From the beginning, I must state that the national dialogue process has divided the nation into two distinct groups. One group, where the Patriotic Front (PF) is the major player being the party in government, believes that the key issues in the dialogue are legal in nature, that is, constitutional, electoral reform and the Public Order Act, as well as civility in politics.
The other group, led by the United Party for National Development (UPND), see dialogue as a platform for discussing the alleged breakdown in the rule of law (most probably resulting from incarceration of the UPND leader Mr. Hakainde Hichilema) and the dismissal by the Constitutional Court, of Mr. Hichilema’s presidential election petition which his advocates failed to prosecute.
On the other hand, the church has also come up with its own agenda that include social dialogue, cultural dialogue and economic dialogue, among others. This is confusion at its highest.
On the side of the PF are political parties – with and without representation in governing structures – which form the Zambia Centre for Inter-party Dialogue (ZCID) and some civil society organisations who believe dialogue is about disputes arising from lacunas, ambiguities and lack of clarity in the constitution and some of other laws, which must be dealt with. To some private media that closely championing the same anti-government agenda as opposition parties, this group has been labelled as PF surrogates or affiliates.
On the side of the UPND are some Church leaders belonging to church mother-bodies, smaller opposition political parties without representation in parliament or government, some private media disguising themselves as being independent and some civil society organisations, who believe there is a breakdown in the rule of law, a claim most analysts have termed as imaginary. For the UPND and its affiliate political parties, the dialogue has recently been described as anchored on “the transition of power in 2021”, and so they ask the question: “what type [of transition]; chaotic or peaceful”?
The UPND and its affiliates answer that question, “And that is where the on-going national dialogue and reconciliation comes in”. Really?
It is little wonder then, that the UPND and its affiliates in what they claim to be an alliance, went “…to approach the Church Mother-Bodies and seek counsel on whether there is any role the that they [the UPND and its affiliates] could play to assist in addressing concerns of their colleagues in the Patriotic Front regarding the on-going National Dialogue and the Reconciliation Process”. According to this “alliance” of UPND and its affiliate political parties, the church advised them to reach out to the ruling Patriotic Front party.
So the bigger question is, what does the UPND and its affiliate political parties see as the role of the church in this on-going dialogue process which they have termed as focusing on the 2021 transition – on whether it will be peaceful or chaotic?
Common knowledge is that this ambitious “2021 power transition project” may be motivated by the developments in Congo DR where the church was at the centre of electoral dispute in trying to usher in the preferred opposition candidate. Unfortunately for the DR Congo Bishops, their gambit failed and they must now sulk in silence as Felix Tshisekedi, declared the winner of the DR Congo presidential elections by the constitutionally appointed Electoral Commission, takes the reins.
The role of third-party mediators in a dispute
From the above, it is worth pointing out that the on-going national political dialogue process means different things to either of the two camps. There is no matter of mutual concern between these two parties and, worse still, there has not been the process of give and take of ideas between the parties in an effort to find common ground.
The church has also come in with a totally new agenda of social dialogue, cultural dialogue, economic dialogue etc., which could be matters that are not really in dispute. This current path by the church is quite dangerous in negotiation or mediation proceedings. It is common knowledge that when conducting negotiations or trying to mediate in disputes, the third party must avoid the temptation of imposing their own views or settlement terms on the contending parties.
A good mediator must always remember to ensure that their values, attitudes and beliefs do not impinge on the process and unconsciously affect what they do and how they work. It is also a fundamental principle of mediation that the parties to the any dispute must be negotiators and the mediator such as the church only serve to act as a facilitator. It is the parties themselves that should be responsible for all their decisions, including settlement terms.
A common thread which the church has failed to recognise in trying to superintend on this process as mediators is the principle that the mediator does not impose his or her biases, decisions or preferences on the parties even though the mediator can provide information and help with evaluation, but none of this allows the church to influence the parties unduly in their decision-making.
The statements that have recently come from some church leaders at the centre of this dialogue process do not inspire the confidence that persons nominated by these church mother bodies are a neutral party as they have taken the dispute as their own, to the effect of stating that whether the PF are part of the dialogue or not it will succeed. What dialogue can there be with only one side to the dispute, attending? What dialogue can take place between UPND and its affiliate parties, or what dialogue can be there be if there is only ZCID and those that support it, in attendance?
The fact is that the parties are required to make their own decisions, as they did in Siavonga at the Secretary General’s meeting. Much as the church may have a different view, it must be clear that the church as mediator, cannot be responsible for the fairness of the outcome to be agreed between the parties but they are responsible for the fairness of the process.
The expectations are that the church should have been responsible for managing the mediation process in such a way that the procedure is as fair as possible to both or all parties and not the outcome itself. So far, we also know that the church cannot guarantee fairness of the procedure because it has already taken side and a stance on this dialogue. Worse still, the Church, it appears, will only listen to those who are sympathetic of them or glorify them and not critics.
The recent developments in the on-going national political dialogue process also highlights some power imbalances. This is normal in all processes because one doesn’t surely expect these many nameless persons in the name of party presidents, to be considered as being of equal standing with the main parties such as President Edgar Lungu and Hakainde Hichilema.
Power imbalances exist in most situations and mediation cannot and does not pretend to eliminate hem but the facilitator such as the church should have been strategizing to help prevent these from distorting this process. Mediators may address power imbalances where appropriate but where the power imbalances are as severe as they currently are in the on-going national dialogue process, and where it is felt that the dialogue cannot be fairly or effectively conducted, the most honourable thing for the church should have been to decline to conduct this process.
This is exactly what the Commonwealth did.
Conclusion
It is indisputable that the on-going process is divided on two lines: the UPND/Church and some UPND affiliated political parties and CSOs on one side whose focus is the 2021 power transition, if it will happen, and the PF/ZCID and others parties and some CSOs who see this dialogue as one that should have been addressing constitutional, electoral and law reforms on the other. One chooses to be on either side depending on these two thematic goals being pursued by the lead parties.
Minister of Justice Given Lubinda has said Government will give direction in due course on the reform programme but what the Minister may need to remember, is that time does not wait for Government to give direction. The time is now and this process of reforming laws must happen, and happen now.
The views expressed in this article represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of any institution the author may be affiliated to or this media
President Edgar Lungu chats with Chief Nkana at State House. 15 Lamba Lima Chiefs held meeting with the Head state,They were lead by Senior Chief Chiwala and Senior Mushili- Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza/State house 24-12-2015.
Chief Nkana of the Lamba speaking people of Lufwanayama Town on Copperbelt province has called on government to ensure investors operating in his chiefdom plough back profits to his subjects.
Chief Nkana says it is sad that his chiefdom is languishing despite having the biggest emerald mining in the country.
“ Why is it that up to now the only road that leads to the emerald mine is still in a deplorable state despite several calls to have it worked on, “ he said.
He has therefore said investors should not just use the Zambian land and people but should pay back their dues through various Cooperate Social Responsibility.
Speaking when provincial minister Japhen Mwakalombe paid a courtesy call on him at his palace, yesterday, Chief Nkana noted that for this reason he ( Mr Mwakalombe ) should ensure that investors taken it upon themselves to ensure that part of their profits is used on various development projects o task so that the face of the chiefdom can change for the better.
And Mr Mwakalombe said government values the role investors play in the country but noted that they should be accountable and take care of the community they are operating in.
He pledged to do everything possible to ensure that the investor plough back to the community adding that he will not only pressure the investor to work on the road but also to support the people through the CSR.
He said once they work with the community it will also help their business because the people around them will support them.
Mr Mwakalombe was in the Town to engage traditional leaders in development issues
And chief Shimukunami thanked government for various developmental districts that have taken place in his chiefdom.
Accountant General Dr DICK CHELLAH SICHEMBE – making a presentation on the Public Finance Act, No 1, 2018 @ Protea Hotel in Chisamba
The upcoming hosting of the Eastern and Southern African Association of Accountants-General ( ESAAG ) conference in Zambia is a confirmation of the trust and commitment government has to ensure the promotion of public financial management, Account General Dick Sichembe says.
Dr. Sichembe says public financial management is key in the development of any country and thus the conference is an opportunity for Zambia to share its experiences and achievements with member countries.
The accountant general , who is also the current chairperson of ESAAG , said this when he led a delegation of officials from the ministry of Finance in paying a courtesy call on Southern Province permanent secretary Mwangala Liomba in Choma.
The delegation was enroute to Livingstone to check on preparations for the ESAAG conference which will be held between 25th February and 1st march this year. Over 1000 delegates, among them accountant generals from 14 member states in Eastern and Southern Africa are expected to attend.
By hosting this year, Zambia has also assumed chairmanship of the ESAAG conference which is held annually by different member states.
And the Southern Provincial administration for recording drastic reduction in financial irregularities as it appeared before the parliamentary public accounts committee.
Dr Sichembe who made the commendation has since urged the controlling officer and accountants in the province to continue ensuring they manage public resources for the benefit of all Zambians and further reduce financial mismanagement.
“We want to uplift the lives of all Zambians by ensuring they benefit from public resources. These resources are not ours. They are for the people of Zambia. We are just custodians, ” he stressed.
He has since warned that anyone found wanting will be dealt with by the law.
Meanwhile southern Province permanent secretary Mwangala Liomba has assured the accountant general that the provincial administration is working towards curbing financial mismanagement. He explained that the provincial administration will do this by ensuring officers responsible for financial mismanagement are dealt with individually.
“We are working towards having zero audit queries. We have agreed with my team that we will not go to P.A.C anymore.” Mr Liomba stated.
Moxico Resources Zambia (MRZ), a company which has taken over the running of Kalengwa mine in Mufumbwe Town , says the shut mine will soon re-open as most of the ground works patterning operations have been done.
ZANIS reports that MRZ Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Allan David says his organisation has become part of Mufumbwe as his company has taken over ownership the closed mine will soon be operational.
Mr David thanked the Zambian government and various stakeholders for all the support his company has continued to receive in various forms from the time MRZ started the processes as regard the reopening of the Kalengwa mine.
The CEO said he looks forward to more support from various stakeholders including the local people.
Meanwhile, Mufumbwe acting district commissioner, Patson Mulaisho says news of the reopening of Kalengwa mine is exciting.
“ The people of Mufumbwe and Zambia as whole cannot wait to see the commencement of operations at Kalengwa mine because the facility will bring about vast economy transformation in the district as well as the country in general, “ he said.
It is a well-known fact the investor will boast government revenue through payment of taxes, he said adding that there shall be creation of thousands of jobs both formal and informal as a results of the mining activities in the Town.
Meanwhile, Chief Mukumbi Chizela of Mufumbwe’s Kaonde speaking people has implored local people to start up-grading themselves in terms of education and skills in readiness for the opening of the mine.
Chief Mukumbi Chizela who spoke through his representative Lapson Samola, said it will better if most local people will be found with right qualification and skills at the time the mine will be recruiting workers so that they stand a chance of getting better jobs.
“ May I warn the local people against the vice of illegal mining at Kalengwa mine. Should anyone be found conduct illegal mining, they will be prosecuted according to the law, “ said the traditional ruler.
He encouraged his subjects to continue cooperating with the investors as the company has promised that the mine will soon be reopened.
Kalengwa mine is situated about 54 kilometers from Mufumbwe town centre.
Before the coming in of Moxico Resources Zambia, the mine was owned by Euro-Africa Mining whose operations stalled a long time ago.
Moxico is yet to operationalize Kalengwa mine after completion of the current exploration works.
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu passes on Great North Road during the tour of Lusaka Roads under the L-400 Project on Saturday, September 15, 2018. PICTURE BY SALIM HENRY/STATE HOUSE 2018
The National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) has embarked on a review of the draft NRFA bill with members of the public across the country to ensure their satisfaction with its contents.
The agency is conducting the meetings with the public in all areas where they got submissions last year for the amendment of the NRFA act of 2002.
ZANIS reports that NRFA legal counsel, Constantine Hara said his during a consultative meeting held with various stakeholders in Solwezi yesterday.
Mr Hara stated that the agency found it necessary to amend the Act because the mandate of the institution has expanded due to developments which have taken place since 2002 such as the setting up of toll gates in the country.
“There are some things that have come on board since the enactment of the NRFA act of 2002 which has expanded the scope of our mandate as an agency.
“For example, the operations of toll gates such as the Humphrey Mulemba toll gate here in Solwezi is not catered for in the Act as it was not in existence at that time,” Mr. Hara said.
Mr. Hara said the new Act will still maintain some provisions of the old Act which have proved to be effective and those which are standard for every Act.
He commended the public for submitting their recommendations for the new Act last year adding that the response was overwhelming.
“For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them; but it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because You favored them.”
(Psalm 44:3, NKJV)
Strength to Conquer
Do you need God’s strength to conquer something in your life today? Maybe you need strength to forgive or to overcome an addiction. Maybe you need strength to deal with a difficult person in the office. No matter what you may be facing, God desires to give you His supernatural strength in every situation. It’s interesting that one translation of this verse says, “because God smiled upon them and favored them.” Did you know that simply calling on God causes Him to smile on you? Because you are His child, you have His favor! God loves to show Himself strong on your behalf. Be strong in the Lord knowing that He is with you, smiling upon you, and showering you with His favor. As you meditate on this promise, you will be strengthened to overcome every obstacle, and you will live a life of victory!
A Prayer for Today
“God, thank you for smiling on me today. I ask that you show me your favor so that I can walk in your strength today. Thank you for equipping me with everything I need to live as an overcomer. I bless you and choose to honor you in everything I do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Government through the Ministry of Home Affairs has again banned the Democratic Party and had urged it to stop conducting any political activities.
Last year, the Democratic Party sued Government through the Attorney General on the basis that the Registrar of Societies rejected to issue their Party a duplicate Certificate of registration despite having paid the annual subscription fees during the amnesty period.
The matter proceeded before the High Court which ruled in favour of the Democratic Party.
Home Affairs Public Relations Officer Nephas Chifuta has confirmed the ban of DP in a statement today.
Mr. Chifuta said after not being satisfied with the High Court ruling, the Attorney General appealed before the Court of Appeal.
Chifuta said the court of Appeal has issued a stay of execution of the High Court judgement which has reinstated the decision of the Registrar of Societies pending full determination of the matter before the Courts of Law.
“In view of this current status quo, the Democratic Party is advised to forthwith cease to conduct any political activities across the country until the Court of Appeal orders otherwise,” Chifuta said.
And Chifuta says the ministry remains committed to ensuring that that the Democratic Party adheres to the stay adding that any violation to this order shall be met with the full force of the Law.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs in its quest to ensure that law and order is maintained, respectfully appeals to the deregistered Democratic Party to adhere to the stay as any violation to this order shall be met with the full force of the Law,” Mr Chifuta said.
Earlier this week, Harry Kalaba accepted the DP’s offer to stand as its 2021 presidential candidate after being expelled as Bahati constituency PF Member of Parliament.
Mighty Mufulira Wanderers where on Saturday denied their second successive 2019 FAZ Super Division victory when hosts Red Arrows held them to a 1-1 draw away at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka .
Brian Chewe put Mighty ahead in the 53rd minute to score his second of the season but Lubinda Mundia replied for Arrows in the 77th minute to see them share the points.
Mighty lead on 4 points, one ahead of Zesco United and Nakambala Leopards who meet on Wednesday.
At Godfrey ‘Ucar’ Chitalu Stadium in Kabwe, Prison Leopards and Green Buffaloes collected their first points of the season following a 0-0 draw.
In Pool B, Power Dynamos winning start to the 2019 season came to an end following a 2-0 away to Green Eagles in Choma.
The defeat came a week after Power began the campaign with a 2-0 home win over promoted MUZA FC in Kitwe while Eagles lost 1-0 away to Forest Rangers on the same date in Ndola.
Amity Shamende put Eagles ahead as early as the 3rd minute to see the hosts take a 1-0 halftime lead.
Collins Mulenga made it 2-0 in the 70th minute just three minutes after he had replaced Shamende.
Eagles join Power on 3 points in Pool B after two rounds of games played.
But Buildcon now lead Pool B on 4 points following a 1-1 away draw at MUZA in Mazabuka.
Mande Badawa scored for Buildcon while MUZA FC scored their debut top-flight goal through Emmanuel Manda.
FAZ SUPER DIVISION WEEK 2
02/02/2019
POOL A
Prison Leopards 0-Green Buffaloes 0
Red Arrows 1-Mufulira Wanderers1
03/02/2019
PP to Sunday due to a storm:Kitwe United-Kabwe Warriors
Lusaka Dynamos-Zanaco
06/02/2019
Zesco United-Nakambala Leopards
POOL B
MUZA 1-Buildcon 1
Circuit City 1-Lumwana Radiants 0
Green Eagles 2-Power Dynamos 0
Nkwazi 1-Forest Rangers 0
06/02/2019
Nkana-Napsa Stars
George Lwandamina says Zesco United are not going into Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup Group C opener against their rivals and visitors Nkana in Ndola with an air of revenge.
The match comes a week after Nkana beat Zesco 5-4 in post-match penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Charity Shield final in Kitwe.
But Nkana have reigned supreme over Zesco in their last three competitive meetings with three successive wins.
“In football there is no revenge, you just play your cards well,” Lwandamina said on the eve of the Group C Zambia derby showdown at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
“Zesco wants to win; Nkana would like to win, so there is nothing like revenge. In fact, football is a unifying factor.”
Meanwhile, both Zesco and Nkana will be without their first-choice goalkeepers.
Zesco captain Jacob Banda is serving a one match suspension while Allan Chibwe has dumped Nkana after the expiry of his six month contract with the club and is reportedly seeking better fortunes in South Africa .
But Nkana are hit harder on personnel heading into the match with defender Ben Banh and midfielder Duncan Otieno both absent and serving one match suspensions.
The good news for Nkana is captain Walter Bwalya has recovered from injury that has seen him miss the clubs last two competitive games.
