DIPLOMATS like all civil servants are supposed to be non-partisan and above the din of narrow and parochial politics, veteran politician George Mpombo has said.
Dr Mpombo has observed that political overzealous diplomat should be recalled or censured by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs because they were breaching the diplomatic etiquette by openly playing partisan politics while serving as envoys.
“The conduct and outburst by some diplomats undermines the integrity and professionalism of the Foreign Service. During campaigns, the UPND assured the nation that once elected they would depoliticise the Foreign Service by appointing career diplomats of impeccable credentials.”
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“Sadly, that commitment has been jettisoned and instead, the UPND administration has packed the Foreign Service with party cadres who are ever on social media demonising the Patriotic Front (PF) and picking petty fights with citizens on social media. They are busy praise-singing for the UPND, wanting to show appreciation for their appointment by flouting diplomatic ethos and etiquette,” Dr Mpombo said.
Dr Mpombo stated that as a former Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria he found it uncouth the behaviour of some diplomats who were ever on some WhatsApp groups championing the UPND mantras instead of serving the country.
He said the crop and calibre of diplomats under the UPND was pathetic because according to him, most were but cadres who did not understand diplomatic ethos.
He said it was doubtful if some of the diplomats who were spending most of their time on social media politicking had passed through the normal diplomatic seminar organised by Ministry of Foreign Affairs before seconding new diplomats to their mission.
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