By NATION REPORTER
FORUM for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi has advised the new dawn administration to emulate the patriotism of their Egyptian counterparts who included opposition leaders in negotiations for an International Monetary Fund (IMF) finance package.
Ms Nawakwi, who served as Minister of Finance in the MMD administration, said in an interview that it was important for Government to take opposition voices on board the IMF negotiations so that it does not take the blame in an event that the programme collapsed.
“The President could have drawn lessons from Egypt where the government there went with the opposition to negotiate for their own IMF package, for the purpose of getting opposition voices on board and so that the opposition could not use the IMF deal to de-campaign the government in the event it backfired,” Ms Nawakwi said.
She wondered whether International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and United States Secretary to the Treasury Janet Yellen’s visited President Hakainde Hichilema and his government in their private capacities or the visit was for the benefit of Zambians.
Ms Nawakwi accused the IMF and their associates of causing more suffering for Zambians instead of helping to address the challenges affecting the country.
She expressed concern that Ms Georgieva and Dr Yellen did not consult widely with all concerned stakeholders and that they needed to visit townships like Chibolya and Kalikiliki.
Ms Nawakwi also said Dr Yellen and Ms Georgieva should have found time to engage with opposition leaders and other stakeholders.
She described the visit as a public relations stunt designed to give credence to the UPND.
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