ACCUSED FOR DIALOGUE – UPND

By MUBITA KATETE ALL those who have been arrested and detained on treason charges, including Brian Mundubile, his running mate Makebi Zulu and others will not be released for dialogue because this would undermine the rule of law, says Gilbert Liswaniso. Mr Liswaniso, the UPND national youth chairperson has rejected calls by Prince Dr Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika for the release of treason detainees as a condition for national dialogue, saying the demand risks undermining the rule of law. Mr Liswaniso said dialogue should not be tied to the release of suspects whose cases were subject to legal processes. His remarks follow an appeal by Dr Mbikusita-Lewanika, the chairperson of the Council of Elders for Ethical Leadership, Democracy and Development, for African presidents to facilitate national dialogue in Zambia and for those facing treason charges to be released as political prisoners. Mr Liswaniso said treason was a serious offence under Zambian law and that the appropriate legal processes should be allowed to take their course. “Dialogue is welcome, but dialogue cannot mean impunity. Meaningful dialogue cannot be built on a demand to subvert the judicial process. Zambia’s future will be built on the rule of law and not on selective amnesty for political convenience,” Mr Liswaniso said. He said the UPND supported national dialogue but disagreed with making the release of treason suspects a precondition for such engagement. Mr Liswaniso has criticised the appeal for African leaders to intervene in what he described as a domestic law-enforcement matter, saying Zambia should resolve its legal and political issues through its own institutions. He said the country’s courts and Parliament were functioning and that political differences should be addressed through established constitutional and legal mechanisms. Mr Liswaniso also said the Council of Elders should instead encourage political actors to respect State institutions and compete through ideas.

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