Maravi

Be careful with donors, Mpombo cautions govt

Be careful with donors, Mpombo cautions govt
Written by George Chellah
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 7:41:32 AM

SHADOWBOXING with donors will not take the country anywhere, former defence minister George Mpombo has warned. Commenting on the government's recent attacks on the donor community, Mpombo, who is also Kafulafuta MMD member of parliament urged the government to be extremely careful with their approach on donors.

“My advice is that the government should handle this matter with steady caution. I think shadowboxing with the donor community will not take us anywhere,” Mpombo said.
“We need investors to come in the country and those statements are making dangerous headlines elsewhere. They can act as a roadblock against Foreign Direct Investment. They should understand in what context messages are being made rather than wholesome condemnation. I think they need to be very, very careful.”

Last week, home affairs minister Lameck Mangani accused the diplomats in Zambia of sponsoring civil society organisations (CSOs) to honk and whistle in protest against the acquittal of former president Frederick Chiluba.

Mangani said the government was aware that the planned honking and whistling by the CSOs had the blessings of diplomats.

"We are not going to allow or promote anarchy in the country. All this is happening with the help of some people in the diplomatic service. We have held official meetings with the diplomats on several occasions, but it is surprising that they are having dark corner and private meetings and sponsoring pressure groups in the country," Mangani said.

And on the calls by the MMD in Western Province to hold the convention, Mpombo praised the MMD provincial executive committee (PEC) for their decision.

“I think it's a positive move, and it's a positive move which has confirmed that the whole thing was stage-managed. There is a cordon of resentment in the whole country regarding the issue, resentment against the intention to hijack the whole party,” Mpombo said. “I am very grateful to our colleagues in Western Province because they have just confirmed what I have always said that this whole thing was just being stage-managed. So those are indications that things weren't very okay.”

He said President Banda should heed the messages being sent over the ruling party's national convention.

“Let's hear what he will say,” said Mpombo.

Labels: DONORS, GEORGE MPOMBO

posted by MrK @ 6:42 AM