Maravi

Letters - UPND-PF

PF-UPND pact, alternative govt
Written by Dr Jonas Chanda, Mbabane, Swaziland
Thursday, June 18, 2009 3:14:04 PM

For the first time since the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) was formed in 1990 as an alternative to the UNIP government, the PF-UPND pact brings a very real alternative to the current incompetent MMD government.

Congratulations to PF leader Michael Sata and UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema for this momentous epoch in Zambian politics!

Previous MMD governments have tended to brand and divide opposition political parties as being regional or tribal, and they have succeeded to win elections with razor-thin electoral margins. Hence, Zambia has been governed by a minority and unpopular president since the combined opposition party votes are always much higher than the ruling party’s.

The PF-UPND pact should be transformed into a mass movement, like a tsunami, covering all parts of Zambia and defying regional and tribal stereotypes from fearful MMD politicians. The pact leaders must shelve narrow personal interests and embrace the broader needs/interests poverty-stricken Zambians.

The pact leaders should also be fully awake and look out for detractors sent in to destroy the Pact through division, manipulation and persecution. Jesus Christ in a parable provides a key lesson: “The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field. But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.” (Matthew 13: 24-25).

The pact leaders should also realise that power by its nature does not surrender easily! The MMD government is deeply mired and entrenched in corruption and will not give up power so easily, even if no single Zambian voted for them. They will try by all means to cling to power through electoral manipulation.

Hence, PF and UPND leaders should first ensure that the Electoral Commission of Zambia is restructured to make it truly independent, continuous voter registration and mobile national registration card exercises are underway, and a conducive environment for a credible and transparent election exists. Then the Rupiah-led MMD government will be consigned to the dustbin of history!

Labels: MoU, PF, UPND

posted by MrK @ 2:13 PM