BARNABAS ZULU and KONDWANI SAKALA
HARRY Kalaba president of the Citizens First (CF) has dumped the United Kwacha Alliance (UKA) and is now contemplating joining the Tonse Alliance after being verbally invited by former President Edgar Lungu.
Meanwhile, Mr Kalaba has disclosed that the meeting he recently had with Tonse Alliance Spokesperson Sean Tembo was facilitated by Mr Lungu, who sent a message requesting him to join the alliance.
The departure of Mr Kalaba from UKA comes at a time when the opposition alliance has been hit by cracks, which started with the Patriotic Front (PF) headed by Mr Lungu leaving the grouping.
Speaking during a press briefing yesterday, Mr Kalaba said the CF was leaving UKA as they have observed that since joining the alliance, there has been no growth.
“We believe there is no better time for us to reassess our operations and association. As I stated at the beginning of my statement, some of the commitment that the party has faced inhibition to explicitly pursue our programmes,” he said.
“Without looking over our shoulders to avoid offending others, we regret to announce that the Citizens First is effective today, disengaging from the United Kwacha Alliance. We would like therefore to thank State Counsel Mr Sakwiba Sikota for the platform he offered us to be part of the progressive and dynamics team.”
He said even if the CF has left the alliance, he remains committed to partner with other opposition movements to liberate Zambians from the bad leadership of the UPND under President Hakainde Hichilema.
“As our partnership ends with UKA, we would like to state that we remain committed to the wisdom of a united opposition with a primary objective of liberating the people of Zambia,” Mr Kalaba said.
He said his party was ready to stop the entrenching dictatorship and tyranny of President Hichilema.
“The Citizens First stands ready to stop this tyranny and dictatorship. This is reinforced by the decision we have made today. We can now freely work with all like-minded partners in championing the cause of a better tomorrow for Zambia, that is anchored on the one Zambia and one nation motto.”
