We've no intention of blocking Sata - Levy

We've no intention of blocking Sata - Levy
By Amos Malupenga
Saturday June 21, 2008 [04:00]

President Levy Mwanawasa yesterday said the MMD government has no intentions of blocking Patriotic Front president Michael Sata from participating in the 2011 presidential election by inserting an age limit in the new constitution. In an exclusive interview, President Mwanawasa said he had heard with disappointment sentiments from some politicians and other stakeholders accusing the MMD government of wanting to make a national constitution which is targeted at fixing certain individuals or promoting its agenda.

“There has been wide condemnation of the MMD government following defence minister George Mpombo's last week's statement withdrawing his earlier proposal to the National Constitution Conference (NCC) to come up with an upper age limit for presidential candidates in the new constitution. Mpombo said his new position was in line with the reconciliation between President Mwanawasa and Sata and more importantly that a constitution should not be seen to be targeted at an individual.

But a cross-section of people condemned Mpombo and the government saying his U-turning showed how petty the government was on the issue of constitution-making process which they wanted to suit their agenda as opposed to the people's wishes and desires.

However, President Mwanawasa yesterday said such comments were very unfair for the government because he had made a public statement on the matter long before his reconciliation with Sata.

"I said this before and I am saying it again that there is no need to put any age limit in the Constitution," President Mwanawasa said.

He said Mpombo's personal opinion or statement could not represent the MMD policy or that of the government on the constitution-making process. President Mwanawasa said the MMD's national executive committee was the highest policy-making body of the party while Cabinet comes up with government policies.

"As regards Mr Mpombo's change of heart, I think Mr Mpombo should not be attacked in anything he said because indeed, there should be no upper age limit in the Constitution for anyone to stand for the presidency. Maybe now he has appreciated this point because this is what I have always been saying on behalf of the government," President Mwanawasa said. "It has never been our policy to put the age limit in the Constitution.

I have said before that Mr Sata is not a factor for us in 2011 because we are ready to face him and we will defeat him. Now, if we start putting age limits we will be giving Mr Sata an excuse. He will say 'I could have beaten the MMD if they didn't stop me from contesting'. If you remember, sometime back, I even said if anyone wants to put an age limit, let them put 140 years as the limit so that no one is disadvantaged."

President Mwanawasa said his government meant well in the constitution-making process and was looking forward to coming up with one which would stand the test of time.