Fri, 11 Aug 2017 10:23:18 +0000
By Oscar Malipenga
UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) is hopeful that talks between President Edgar Lungu and its leader Hakainde Hichilema will promote peace, stability and democracy in the country.
UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma said he was hopeful that the agreement between President Lungu and Mr Hichilema to start dialogue would achieve the desired results of a peaceful, stable and democratic Zambia.
On Wednesday, Commonwealth secretary-general Ms Patricia Scotland, told a press conference that President Lungu and Mr Hichilema had agreed to a process of dialogue facilitated by and through the use of the Commonwealth, to prepare a roadmap for the 2021 elections.
Ms Scotland, who held a series of private talks with both President Lungu and Mr Hichilema, said the two parties have also agreed to move forward from the issues of the 2016 elections for the sake of peace and stability.
She said a roadmap of reforms pursuant to Commonwealth principles of good practices, governance and the rule of law to be undertaken in preparation for the 2021 elections would be tabled by the two leaders.
Reacting to Ms Scotland’s statement, Mr Kakoma said there was hope that the Commonwealth was going to help in the dialogue process
Mr. Kakoma, who attended Ms Scotland’s press conference, said dialogue between President Lungu and Mr Hichilema was welcome.
“In particular there are already practical indications that they are serious about the issue of dialogue in Zambia.
“They will set up a secretariat in the secretary-general’s office and appoint an envoy to follow up on the processes so that in itself is showing that there is commitment from the Commonwealth to help us resolve our problems,” he said.
Mr. Kakoma said UPND did not have any details of that dialogue because the secretary-general said she would appoint a special envoy that will draw a roadmap.
“Our expectation is that we are hoping that the dialogue process will achieve the desired results. The desired results are basically what Ms Scotland outlined; peace stability and democracy in Zambia,” Mr Kakoma said.
