Maravi

Diplomats not happy with Rupiah over Chiluba acquittal

Diplomats not happy with Rupiah over Chiluba acquittal
Written by Chibaula Silwamba
Monday, September 21, 2009 4:52:58 PM

MOST diplomats accredited to Zambia and other international donors are unhappy with the way President Rupiah Banda and senior government officials are handling the acquittal of former president Frederick Chiluba over corruption charges and the refusal to appeal, diplomatic sources have revealed.

Some diplomats, who sought anonymity for diplomatic etiquette, said they were disappointed with the manner in which the Zambian government handled Chiluba's acquittal and the consequent dismissal of Task Force on Corruption executive chairman Maxwell Nkole after he indicated that the Task Force on Corruption would appeal against the acquittal.

The sources said they had talked to several senior government officials about the need to enhance the fight against corruption in Zambia but "your government leaders are behaving like they are deaf" and did not heed the advice.

"We have been following these issues closely and we inform our countries back home on all major issues here and the Chiluba case is very big. Almost all international news agencies and media houses are carrying that story and the perception internationally is that your President and your government is not committed to the fight against corruption," the source said.

"About Chiluba's acquittal, they cannot do anything because there are laws and legal people in government who will handle those issues. They said, 'we don't want to interfere'. But that was a very simplistic way of looking at things. We know what is going on in the Chiluba acquittal and the firing of Mr Nkole. We live in this country and we have been following these issues but your President was telling us things as if we don't know what is going on. All embassies, as diplomats, we are unhappy about this acquittal but your leaders are taking us for granted just because we have to follow diplomatic etiquettes."

The sources said it was strange that President Banda and Chiluba had become close and attended functions together.

"Your President and the former president are now close friends; we see the pictures of your President and the former president together most of the times. You can even see these pictures," said the source while displaying photographs of President Banda and Chiluba laughing during the funeral of late local government minister Benny Tetamashimba in Solwezi and during the AIBT graduation ceremony on the front page of The Post.

"We have to explain to our governments about what is happening. We are not happy and that is the feeling of a lot of diplomats in Zambia. As diplomats, we are also concerned about the governing party [MMD's] decision to postpone their convention; we feel that is undemocratic. Yes, this is your country and intraparty politics but you should be seen to be democratic."

The sources said they were also concerned about the delays to complete the constitution-making process.

The sources said during a recent meeting between the cooperating partners and the Zambian government ministers including senior officials, the donors demanded that the government should continue fighting corruption.

"The Swedish said they were shocked about the theft of funds at the Zambian Ministry of Health and the issue of corruption in Zambia had become topical on their national agenda in Sweden. Your minister of health, he was nervous, said the government was also shocked about the thefts but argued that it was not the Zambian government but few individuals in the Ministry of Health who have stolen the money," the source said.

"[European Commission delegation leader ambassador] Dr Derek Fee told your government to assure the donors that the registration of voters countrywide will be concluded before the 2011 elections. But one of your ministers said voter registration cost more money in Zambia than in our countries and Zambia had a lot of pressing issues more than voter registration. But the other government official contradicted that position, saying that there was enough money available to do voter registration and the exercise will be concluded before the 2011 elections. In fact, the official indicated that the exercise has been concluded in three provinces - Eastern, North Western and Western. But we doubt what the official said."

Labels: CHILUBA, CORRUPTION, DIPLOMACY, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 3:53 PM