Gen Tembo advises Oasis on constitution
Gen Tembo advises Oasis on constitutionBy Patson Chilemba
Tuesday July 03, 2007 [04:00]
FORMER Republican vice-president Lieutenant General Christon Tembo has urged the Oasis Forum not to allow political 'chancers' to hijack the constitution-making process. In an interview, Lt Gen Tembo said he was more comfortable with the Oasis Forum fighting for the constitution.
Asked on the sincerity of Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata's statement that the PF leadership will work under the leadership of the Oasis Forum, Lt Gen Tembo responded: "Some politicians might not just hijack the process but might hijack the Oasis Forum itself.
The Oasis Forum has always been careful but should be aware of new maneuvers coming into play. The Oasis Forum should insist on attending the constitution procedures as they are instead of taking on board people who are chancers. It's difficult to get some people on board because by their nature they want to take over."
Lt Gen Tembo said the Oasis Forum has always remained committed to the fight for a new constitution and that it should play a key role in the process.
"The civil society has a larger membership than the parties so they should have insisted that they have a say. Even now it's not too late," Lt Gen Tembo said. "They should demand that they be included on processes such as the Zambia Centre for Inter-party Dialogue (ZCID)."
Lt Gen Tembo further said the people would be justified to hold demonstrations over the constitution if no considerable progress is made by the time Zambia hosts the Southern African Development Community (SADC) heads of state summit next month.
"If there will be sufficient progress by that time then demos might be counter-productive but if there will be no progress, they would be justified to demonstrate because it is their democratic right," said Lt Gen Tembo.
Labels: CHRISTON TEMBO, OASIS FORUM, PF, SADC, SATA
posted by MrK @ 3:50 AM
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