Maravi

Levy and Sata's troubled Reconciliation

Levy and Sata's troubled Reconciliation
By Editor
Sunday June 29, 2008 [04:00]

VERY few Zambians would oppose any reconciliation or peace initiative. Even their current doubts about the reconciliation between President Levy Mwanawasa and Patriotic Front president Michael Sata are not a result of their opposition to such initiatives. It is because there are questions about this reconciliation that Sata and President Mwanawasa have not answered to their satisfaction.

People shouldn't be expected to talk about and support things they don' understand. Many Zambians want to see a stable nation and would support any initiatives towards that goal, but they have difficulties supporting what they don't understand.

Sata himself last week told the nation that President Mwanawasa's ministers don't understand their reconciliation. If these top politicians are not able to understand this reconciliation, how can one expect the common man or woman on the street to appreciate it? We all want reconciliation in the nation; we all want peace and stability in our country because this is the only way our country can move forward.

But the reconciliation we need between those in the opposition and their colleagues in government is one which will produce what is called a "loyal opposition". Deals between two individuals, no matter how influential and popular they may be, will not do.

And loyal opposition means, in essence, that all sides in a democracy share a common commitment to its basic values. Political competitors don't necessarily have to like each other, but they must tolerate one another and acknowledge that each has a legitimate and important role to play. In this case, Sata being a leading opposition figure, has an important and legitimate role to play that should not be left to the whims of President Mwanawasa. And it is important for the country that Sata is allowed to play that loyal opposition role effectively and efficiently without any undue hindrances from any quarter. It is not a favour to Sata but a necessary requisite to the good and proper governance of our country.

Moreover, the ground rules of the society must encourage tolerance and civility in public discourse and dealings. One doesn't need a reconciliation to be civil and tolerant in his or her dealings with political opponents because all have a legitimate role to play and should be allowed to play it.

And both those in the opposition and in government must agree to cooperate in solving the common problems of our country, of our nation, of our people. Those in the opposition should be allowed to continue participating in public life, with the knowledge that their role is essential in the development and progress of our country, in any democracy worthy of the name. They are expected to be loyal not to the specific policies of those in government, but to the fundamental legitimacy of the state, and to our democratic process itself.

If one looks at things this way, it is easy to see why Zambians are sceptical of this reconciliation between Sata and President Mwanawasa. It is not easy to convince anyone that a reconciliation that is purely personal can have much value to the nation.

Why should the nation be so interested in a reconciliation that is purely personal between Sata and President Mwanawasa? And by saying this, we don't mean that it is wrong for Sata and President Mwanawasa to reconcile and remove conflict or tension in their dealings with each other. All we are saying is that for this reconciliation to be meaningful to the nation, it needs to be broadened beyond the two individuals.

And it must also address the issues that in the first place gave rise to tension. If reconciliation is to be meaningful, the primary requisite is to eradicate the cause of dissension between Sata and President Mwanawasa, their political parties, leaders, cadres and supporters. As we have stated before, true reconciliation is to seek and accept forgiveness and not to create new suspicions, problems or confusion. And no true reconciliation can be built on the shifting sands of illusions and opportunism.

Again, if the reconciliation between Sata and President Mwanawasa is to have national support it has to be understood by the nation and be seen as part of our national agenda and not just that of two individuals. And as things stand today, this reconciliation is nothing but an idea in the heads of Sata and President Mwanawasa. We don't think even President Mwanawasa's ministers see a role for themselves in this reconciliation. We don't think the MMD sees itself as having a role in it too.

As Amilcar Cabral once observed, let us "always bear in mind that the people are not fighting for ideas, for things in one's head. They are fighting to win material benefits, to live better and in peace, to see their lives go forward, to guarantee the future of their children".
The reconciliation between Sata and President Mwanawasa will only be of value to our people, and will only win their support, if they understand it and if it is made a tangible reality for all to see and appreciate.

It is not enough to complain about our people not supporting this reconciliation. What are needed are explanations from Sata and President Mwanawasa about the nature and character of this reconciliation and what benefits it will bring to our people's lives. If our people are made to understand, this they will support it without reservations. But it seems Sata and President Mwanawasa have difficulties explaining the nature and character of their reconciliation.

Probably it is difficult for them to do so because they may also not understand it. It may be better for them to sit down, discuss and fully articulate what their deal is all about before they sell it to the nation. It is very difficult to sell a product you don't understand no matter how good it may be. If government ministers don't understand it, top Catholic bishops don't understand it, and so on and so forth, how can it be expected to be embraced by the general public?
Reconciliation is a very noble thing but it must be built on noble ideas that are easy to explain.

Labels: MWANAWASA, POLITICS, SATA

posted by MrK @ 3:46 AM