ONE PARTY STATE TO SOLVE TRIBALISM ISSUE?

Thu, 16 Nov 2017 13:02:17 +0000

By Chite Mtonga

THE challenge of tribalism can be addressed by reverting to a one party state which encourages unity among all citizens, Zambia Direct Democracy Movement (ZDDM) President Edwin Sakala has said.

Mr Sakala said tribalism worked against the need for government to deliver social  and economic development in the country.

He said tribalism was barring the government from delivering to its full potential, as tribal inclinations reduced cooperation and unity among officers in the public service.

Speaking to the Daily Nation in an interview Mr Sakala said first republican president Dr Kenneth Kaunda managed to unite the country through the introduction of a one party state.

“Unity is very important if a country is to develop, when issues of tribalism started to arise back in the UNIP administration, KK quickly responded by introducing a one party state and we had no disunity based on tribal linkages, so you can see that political differences can cause tribalism,” he said.

Mr Sakala further stated that government should increase the number of provinces to 22 with each province being semi-autonomous.

He said that semi-autonomous provinces would encourage people to be more focused on development than tribe.

“The idea of having semi-autonomous provinces has worked in other countries and I believe it could work in Zambia. For example our neighbors in south Africa have provinces that are somewhat autonomous, this is a good idea in ensuring that the provincial administration has power to deal with challenges and people’s needs in a particular provinces,” Mr Sakala said.