By PETER SICHALI
INTERNATIONAL observers in Zambia should be objective and avoid meddling in the internal affairs of the country,Inter-Africa Governance Network (AFRINET) Executive Director Maurice Malambo has said.
Mr Malambo said it was saddening that some position statements made by some members of the
Diplomatic Corps and election observers on the forth coming general elections lacked objectivity.
“Whereas actual or perceived indiscretions by the opposition political parties in public domain, particularly the UPND, the international community has either surprisingly remained mute or issued a blanket disapproval without directing the same to the alleged aggressors,” he said.
Mr Malambo said it was important for the diplomats to understand that political violence, tribalism, and hate speech regardless of the perpetrator were toxic to the democracy, peace and national unity.
He said his organisation has noted with concern that systematic advice from some diplomats in Zambia and election observer mission encouraging state, non-state actors and the citizenry for a peaceful political engagement and power transition in a tone suggestive of an imminent power transition.
He said the position taken by some members of the diplomatic corps was potentially a vote tone setter, especially to the first-time and undecided voters.
Mr Malambo reminded stakeholders in Zambia and abroad that any country’s political power pendulum swing was exclusively a right and responsibility accorded to the nationals.
“As AFRINET we wish to loud this indisputable fact that in all developing economies where political atrocities or upheavals have erupted, a factual post audit has always revealed systematic contribution in the form of foreign political interference for economic imperialist interest under the guise of progressive international community hood,” he said.
Mr Malambo said Zambia has never known post-independence bloodshed, therefore it was important for diplomats to introspect their objectivity in the interest of Zambians.
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