Kalaba Claims Mweetwa Sidelined From Future Dialogue

Opposition leader Harry Kalaba has claimed that President Hakainde Hichilema does not intend to include Information and Media Minister Cornelius Mweetwa in a proposed political parley next year, raising questions about the inclusiveness and purpose of planned dialogue initiatives.

Kalaba said any political engagement aimed at easing tensions and promoting national cohesion must involve all relevant actors. He said excluding certain figures undermines the credibility of dialogue processes and fuels suspicion about their intentions.

According to Kalaba, selective engagement risks reducing dialogue to a symbolic exercise rather than a meaningful platform for addressing national concerns. He said genuine dialogue should be broad-based and structured to allow for frank discussion among political leaders.

Kalaba said the country continues to experience political tension, which requires inclusive engagement to resolve. He said dialogue initiatives must be transparent in design and execution to build trust among stakeholders.

He also questioned the criteria being used to determine participation in the proposed talks. He said clarity was needed on who would be invited, the agenda to be discussed, and how outcomes would be implemented.

Kalaba said dialogue should not be used as a political tool to advance narrow interests. He said it should focus on national issues such as governance, economic management, and democratic accountability.

The opposition leader said past attempts at political dialogue have faltered due to lack of follow-through and perceived bias. He said lessons from those experiences should inform any future engagement.

Kalaba urged authorities to demonstrate commitment to inclusive dialogue by engaging a broad spectrum of political actors. He said this approach would help reduce political tensions and promote stability ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Government officials have previously stated that dialogue remains an important mechanism for addressing political differences. They have said efforts to engage stakeholders are ongoing and guided by national interest.

As debate continues over proposed dialogue initiatives, Kalaba said public confidence would depend on transparency, inclusiveness, and sincerity in implementation.

Chief Chamuka has declared his support for President Hakainde Hichilema ahead of the 2026 general elections, citing development initiatives, governance reforms, and engagement with traditional leadership as key reasons for his endorsement.

The traditional leader said his decision was informed by what he described as visible development efforts and a leadership approach that recognises the role of chiefs in national governance. He said the administration had demonstrated willingness to work with traditional authorities in addressing local development challenges and promoting community participation.

Chief Chamuka said leadership should be judged on performance and the ability to improve the welfare of citizens. He stated that development initiatives taking place in various parts of the country showed commitment to improving livelihoods and strengthening service delivery at community level.

He also referred to government programmes implemented through decentralised structures, which he said had empowered local communities to identify and prioritise projects that respond to their needs. He said such initiatives had increased the involvement of traditional leaders in development planning and oversight.

The Chief said peace and stability remained essential as the country approaches the 2026 elections. He urged political leaders and supporters to conduct themselves responsibly and to respect democratic processes during campaigns. He said peaceful engagement was necessary to safeguard national unity and allow citizens to make informed choices.

He further called on leaders to prioritise national interests above partisan considerations. He said development and social cohesion should remain central to political discourse, particularly during the election period.

Hichilema has consistently emphasised the importance of working with traditional leaders as partners in development. The administration has said traditional authorities play a critical role in land administration, conflict resolution, and community mobilisation, making their involvement important to national development efforts.

Government programmes aimed at supporting chiefs and local governance structures have included engagement on land management, infrastructure development, and social protection initiatives. Officials say such collaboration is intended to strengthen grassroots governance and improve coordination between central government and local communities.

The endorsement by Chief Chamuka adds to a series of public statements by traditional leaders expressing support for the current administration. These endorsements have featured prominently in political discourse as the country prepares for the 2026 polls.

Hichilema has previously said leadership requires inclusive engagement and accountability to citizens. He has stated that development programmes must be implemented transparently and equitably, with benefits reaching communities across the country.

As the election period approaches, political activity is expected to intensify, with parties and leaders seeking support from various sectors of society, including traditional leadership. Chief Chamuka urged voters to remain peaceful and to participate in the electoral process responsibly.

The Patriotic Front (PF) will hold its long-awaited party convention by April, party official Celestine Mukandila has said, in what the party describes as a decisive step toward resolving prolonged internal uncertainty and restoring organisational order ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Mukandila said the convention would be conducted in line with the party’s constitution and would allow members to regularise leadership structures that have remained unresolved following years of internal disputes. He said the leadership was aware of growing impatience among members and had committed to providing clarity through a formal and lawful process.

The announcement follows sustained pressure from within the PF, where members and senior figures have repeatedly questioned delays in convening the party’s highest decision-making body. Critics within the party have argued that postponements weakened internal democracy and undermined confidence in leadership processes.

Mukandila said preparations for the convention were underway and that structures across the country were being engaged to ensure participation. He said the leadership recognised that the absence of a convention had contributed to uncertainty and that holding it was necessary to stabilise the party.

Since losing power, the PF has experienced internal challenges, including leadership disputes, legal battles, and factional divisions that have affected its ability to operate cohesively. The lack of a convention has been cited as a key factor behind the party’s organisational difficulties, with rival groups contesting authority and legitimacy.

Mukandila said the April timeline was intended to bring finality to these disputes. He said the convention would provide a platform for members to elect leadership and to resolve outstanding organisational issues through established party mechanisms rather than through parallel processes.

The convention is expected to attract significant attention, with leadership positions likely to be contested. Mukandila said the party welcomed competition within constitutional limits and believed that an open process would strengthen legitimacy and unity.

He said the PF remained focused on rebuilding its structures and re-engaging supporters. According to Mukandila, clarity on leadership was essential if the party was to reposition itself as an effective opposition force ahead of the next elections.

The announcement comes at a time when opposition parties are under pressure to demonstrate internal democracy and organisational readiness. Political observers note that prolonged leadership uncertainty can weaken mobilisation and erode public confidence.

Mukandila said the PF was determined to avoid further delays and to conduct the convention within the stated timeframe. He said the party understood that credibility depended on delivering on commitments made to members.

He added that the convention would also allow members to debate policy direction and campaign strategy. He said internal cohesion was critical if the party was to remain competitive in a changing political landscape.

As preparations continue, attention will focus on whether the convention proceeds as scheduled and whether it delivers the stability the party has promised. Mukandila said the leadership was committed to ensuring that the process was orderly, inclusive, and compliant with party rules.

The outcome of the convention is expected to shape the PF’s direction as it navigates the period leading up to the 2026 general elections.