HH, sober up!

Sun, 20 Aug 2017 09:25:04 +0000

THE release of UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema and five others who were facing a treason charge after the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) entered a nolle prosequi in public interest presents a golden opportunity for constructive dialogue that should culminate into genuine reconciliation.

It is public knowledge that a catalogue of events that characterised our political space in the past year can be directly attributed to be consequences of the disputed 2016 general elections.

Keen followers of local politics should know that the current political malaise and tension is because of the stance taken by the UPND not to accept the outcome of that election, let alone the party’s refusal to recognise President Edgar Lungu as legitimately elected.

For this reason, concerted efforts from various civil society organisations, faith-based organisations and international dignitaries in recent weeks and months in calling for dialogue between President Lungu and the UPND leader as a conduit through which to defuse political tension must not be taken lightly.

Finding a common ground to end this political impasse is not only for the good of the two political parties and their followers but also the country as a whole.

Going by the foregoing, it is imperative that the UPND leader Mr Hichilema must sober up, reflect and show commitment to the Commonwealth-brokered process of dialogue which by all intents and purposes is meant to restore peace and political stability in the country.

We are certain that revelations by Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland, who is also former British Attorney General, following a series of private talks she held with the two political leaders that they agreed to forget about the issues of the 2016 elections, but instead focus on future elections espouses hope for a new political chapter.

Now that Mr Hichilema is out of detention, it is expected of him and his friends to desist from issuing inflammatory statements that have the potential to incite party cadres to engage in uncivil and violent conduct. Doing so will not only jeopardise the peaceful process of dialogue between the UPND and PF but also wane the UPND political popularity.

At this moment, Mr Hichilema ought to tread very cautiously. His sympathisers will advise him on a wide range of issues and on what he should do next to exert his presence on the political scene. Unfortunately, some of it may be wrong political advice.

In this vein, he must analyse every piece of advice because not all individuals who turn up to him may be qualified to render requisite counsel and workable political strategies under the circumstances to re-organise the party.

Under normal circumstances, we think the UPND will not lose anything by conceding electoral defeat and recognise President Lungu as duly elected. If anything, doing so will make Zambians develop confidence in and have great respect for the party and its leadership because that is what is expected in any progressive democracy.

In an elections just like in any other kind of competition, it is anticipated that only one person can be declared a winner and never two at a given time. It follows, therefore, that those who lose in any kind of competition must concede defeat with magnanimity.

We urge Mr Hichilema to remain committed to national healing, peace and political stability because it is only under such an atmosphere that constructive dialogue will lead to genuine reconciliation.