Lt Gen Tembo opposes further Zim sanctions
By Laura Mushaukwa in Lusaka and Kingsley Kaswende in Harare
Thursday July 10, 2008 [04:00]
FORMER vice-president Lieutenant General Christon Tembo has warned that further sanctions against Zimbabwe are not a solution to the crisis in that country. But the European Union (EU) on Tuesday said the results of the discredited June 27 presidential runoff election could not form the basis for power-sharing negotiations to end the political crisis in Zimbabwe.
In an interview, Lt Gen Tembo explained that sanctions against Zimbabwe would not work because only the ordinary people would suffer.
He noted that the whole issue of Zimbabwe was mishandled a long time ago during the Lancaster Conference.
Lt Gen Tembo proposed that the only way out of the crisis was through dialogue, saying parties involved needed to sit down to resolve their differences.
"The only way out of this is not by sanctions but following the African Union where parties involved should sit down, talk to resolve their differences," he said.
Lt Gen Tembo added that it was only morally right for Britain to honour its promise over the land issue.
According to the Lancaster House Agreement of 1979, which ended biracial rule in Zimbabwe following negotiations between ZANU-PF and the Zimbabwe Rhodesia government, Britain was to fund the land distribution programme.
The Conservative Party led by former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher and later John Major agreed to fund the programme but the Labour government under Tony Blair reneged on the pledge on grounds that they were a new government from diverse backgrounds without links to former colonial interests.
And Lt Gen Tembo dismissed assertions by Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe that there were Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries that were contemplating military intervention.
"I don't think there is any SADC country which, would want military intervention, I think it is ridiculous, when you are in this situation you tend to make up all sorts of stories," said Lt Gen Tembo. "Zimbabweans should just be at peace with themselves knowing that they have peaceful neighbours."
But the EU said it supported the idea of a government of national unity, but would only accept a formula, which respected the will of the Zimbabwean people, as expressed in the elections of March 29, which saw the MDC win.
"The result of this vote must serve as a basis for a political settlement," the EU Presidency, held by France noted in a statement.
The EU encouraged SADC and South African President Thabo Mbeki to step up their efforts to foster this process, adding that the transition period must be as short as possible.
"The objective of any solution must be to re-consult the Zimbabwean people on a free, democratic and transparent basis as quickly as possible. Only this can provide a long-term response to the serious difficulties currently being faced in Zimbabwe, which are threatening regional stability," the statement read.
The EU also called for an immediate end to all forms of violence and that it was prepared to examine any appropriate individual measures against the perpetrators of violence at the earliest possible opportunity.
Meanwhile, G8 leaders that were meeting in Japan declared they would impose financial and other sanctions on leaders they described as "those individuals responsible for violence" in Zimbabwe.
In a statement issued by the G8 Summit in Japan, the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States effectively rejected the government of President Mugabe saying it was illegitimate.
"We deplore the fact that the Zimbabwean authorities pressed ahead with the presidential election despite the absence of appropriate conditions for free and fair voting as a result of their systematic violence, obstruction and intimidation.
We do not accept the legitimacy of any government that does not reflect the will of the Zimbabwean people," the leaders said.
Referring to the first round of elections in which Zimbabwe's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) won the most votes, they added that "it is important that any mediation process respect the results of the March 29, 2008 election."
They accused the ruling ZANU-PF party of "systematic violence, obstruction and intimidation" ahead of the second round of voting on June 27.
The leaders also issued an implicit call for the SADC's mediation, led by President Mbeki, to be widened to include other mediators.
The MDC accuses Mbeki of bias towards President Mugabe.
The G8 called on the African Union and SADC to "provide strong leadership," including taking measures aimed at "further strengthening the regional mediation process."
The leaders also called for the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, to appoint a special envoy to support the efforts of SADC and AU.
But the Zimbabwean government said the G8 leaders' rejection of President Mugabe's legitimacy and threats of financial measures against his regime were racist and an insult to African leaders.
"They want to undermine the African Union and President Mbeki's (mediation) efforts because they are racist, because they think only white people think better," said deputy information minister Bright Matonga. "It's an insult to African leaders."
Labels: CHRISTON TEMBO, SANCTIONS
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Dual citizenship
By Editor
Wednesday June 11, 2008 [04:00]
It is good that the proceedings of the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) are being followed closely by our people.
And Lt Gen Christon Tembo’s contribution on the resolution by the citizenship committee to allow dual-nationality should provoke some debate.
Our country means nothing unless it means the triumph of real democracy, the triumph of popular government, and, in the long run, of an economic system under which each individual shall be guaranteed the opportunity to show the best that there is in them.
The object of the government is the welfare of the people. The material progress and prosperity of a nation are desirable chiefly insofar as they lead to the moral and material welfare of all citizens.
Just in proportion as the average man and woman are honest, capable of sound judgement and high ideals, active in public affairs – but, first of all, sound in their home life, and the father and mother of healthy children who they bring up well – just so far, and no farther, we may count our endeavours a success. We must have a genuine and permanent moral awakening, without which no wisdom of legislation or administration really means anything; and, on the other hand, we must try to secure the social and economic legislation without which any improvement due to purely moral agitation is necessarily evanescent.
No matter how honest and decent we are in our private lives, if we do not have the right kind of law and the right kind of administration of the law, we cannot go forward as a nation. That is imperative; but it must be an addition to, and not a substitution for, the qualities that make up good citizens. In the last analysis, the most important elements in any person’s career must be the sum of those qualities which, in the aggregate, we speak of as character. If he has not got it, then no law that the wit of man can devise, no administration of the law by the boldest and strongest executive, will avail to help him.
We must have the right kind of character – character that makes a man, first of all, a good man in the home, a good father, a good husband – that makes a man a good neighbour. You must have that, and then, in addition, you must have the kind of law and the kind of administration of the law which will give to those qualities in the private citizens the best possible chance for development. The prime problem of our nation is to get the right type of good citizenship, and, to get it, we must have progress, and our public men must be genuinely progressive.
We are seeing some serious progressiveness in the thinking of some members of some committees of the NCC.
The resolution by the citizenship committee of the NCC to allow dual nationality is very progressive and deserves the support of all of us.
It is folly for anyone to think that the affairs of this country, including the security, are only run by people carrying the citizenship of this country, a green national registration card. There are many citizens of other countries who have lived almost all their lives here and have made great contributions to the development of our country. And if they had an opportunity to become citizens of this country in some dual way, they would have done so. There are many people who have lived almost all their lives in this country but because of other very important considerations could not apply for citizenship of this country as it would require them to renounce their other citizenship which for social and economic reasons, they may still need. Why should such people be denied dual citizenship?
Moreover, we who are privileged to have been born here should not think this territory belongs exclusively to us. This is God’s territory and we are only deployed here for a purpose – to look after this territory, its people, its resources in the best way possible on God’s behalf and indeed on behalf of all humanity. We had no choice where to be born but we do have some choice on where we can live. And let’s allow those who want to come and spend part of their lives here to do so with limited impediments.
The issues of security being advanced by Lt Gen Tembo to deny people dual citizenship to our country do not hold much water. Although citizenship is not given easily anywhere in the world, we shouldn’t make it impossible for those who want to belong to this country in one way or another to do so.
Lt Gen Tembo should know that there are about 30,000 non-citizens who serve in the United States armed forces, making up about two per cent of the active duty force. This is according to statistics from the military and the Council on Foreign Relations. And about 100 such non-citizens have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A recent change in United States law, however, gave the Pentagon authority to bring immigrants to the United States if it determines it is vital to national security.
Other nations have recruited foreign citizens: in France, the famed Foreign Legion relies on about 8,000 non-citizens; Nepalese soldiers called Gurkhas, have fought and died with British army forces for two centuries; and the Swiss Guard, which protects the Vatican, consists of troops who hail from different nations.
And the United States armed forces, already struggling to meet recruiting goals, are considering expanding the number of non-citizens in the ranks, including disputed proposals to open recruiting stations overseas and put more immigrants on a faster track to United States citizenship if they volunteer. And the Pentagon and the immigration authorities have expanded a programme that accelerates citizenship for legal residents who volunteer for the military.
So what the citizenship committee of the NCC has done is not without historical precedent.
Most Zambians who left the country to become a Diaspora did it with many reservations. The majority left because there were not enough opportunities available to them in the country. To take advantage of all the opportunity available to them while living outside of Zambia, they had to adopt the nationality of the host country. While living outside, they acquire knowledge, wealth and new skills that are essential for Zambia’s future. To deny them dual citizenship, the right to participate in the development of the country is self-defeating and short-sighted.
Denying people dual citizenship does not protect the country against an enemy. The real loser here is Zambia, as it is being denied sorely needed skills and outside experience to navigate out of the morass it is in.
The only solution to this is dual citizenship and the citizenship committee of the NCC’s resolution to this effect deserves support.
Labels: CHRISTON TEMBO, DUAL CITIZENSHIP, NCC
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Gen Tembo opposes dual citizenship
By Mutuna Chanda
Wednesday June 11, 2008 [04:00]
FORMER Zambia Army commander Lieutenant General Christon Tembo has opposed the resolution by the citizenship committee of the National Constitution Conference (NCC) to allow dual nationality. In an interview on Monday, Lt Gen Tembo warned that Zambia's security wings would have to be extra alert if the new constitution allowed dual citizenship.
"In countries where dual citizenship is allowed, it is awarded sparingly," Lt Gen Tembo said. "Other countries will entice nationals for example from Zambia to hold dual nationality depending on the influence or the connections they have. So if it is adopted in the new constitution, security wings will have to be extra alert."
He said the complication that all people needed to be aware of was that of divided loyalty in cases where citizens held dual nationality.
"Citizenship is like marriage," Lt Gen Tembo said. "You get married to one spouse. The moment you start thinking of taking on another spouse then your devotion will not be equal between them. In this case when one is a citizen of a country, they are committed to their country but the moment they become a citizen of more than one country, then the commitment also becomes divided. Devotion to two countries is not advisable."
Lt Gen Tembo said should the forthcoming constitution allow dual nationality, Zambia would have to implement it under very close scrutiny.
"This is a matter that should not be treated casually," said Lt Gen Tembo. "There are many countries that allow dual citizenship. Normally it is allowed in professions that are not very sensitive. Businessmen who want to take advantage of certain kinds of businesses that are restricted to citizens only may want to hold dual citizenship. But certain types of work may require that one's original citizenship is set aside; for example in the intelligence service."
Last week, the citizenship committee of the NCC resolved to allow Zambians to hold dual nationality with citizenship of other countries where it was allowed.
However, the committee said those who may be required to renounce their Zambian citizenship would have to re-apply for re-admittance in the event that they wanted to retain their citizenship on return.
The re-admittance, according to the committee, would not be as lengthy as foreign nationals who applied for Zambian citizenship.
Labels: CHRISTON TEMBO, DUAL CITIZENSHIP, NCC
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Tembo ponders returning to active politics
By Patson Chilemba
Friday March 07, 2008 [03:00]
FORMER Republican vice-president Lieutenant General Christon Tembo (above) has said he is pondering on requests by many people asking him to return to active politics. In an interview yesterday, Lt Gen Tembo said he had no difficulties returning to active politics although this was something one should think about seriously.
“I have no difficulties coming back. At the same time, I’ve got to read the situation in the country. What do these political leaders think? I haven’t concluded yet but as at now, I know I have been approached by so many,” Lt Gen Tembo said. “So I have been approached to reconsider the decision. I want to do it properly...to think about it fully. At the same time I don’t want to disappoint the people. I think let me do a proper assessment.”
And commenting on what he thought was lacking in terms of leadership in the nation, Lt Gen Tembo said there was little attention being paid to the common man in the country. He said Zambians deserved more than what they have been able to get in terms of development.
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MMD is the only viable party, says Gen Tembo
By Patson Chilemba and Nomusa Michelo
Friday September 07, 2007 [04:01]
MMD is the only viable party, former Republican vice-president Lieutenant General Christon Tembo has said. And United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema has welcomed UK-based automotive aerospace expert Professor Clive Chirwa to the political arena, saying politics is a serious commitment. But UPND Copperbelt Province chairman Joe Kalusa described Prof Chirwa as a hypocrite.
Commenting on Prof Chirwa's decision to join the MMD, Lt Gen Tembo - who is also former opposition Forum for Democracy and Development president - said it was only logical for Prof Chirwa to join the MMD because of its sound policies and direction.
"As at now if you look at all the parties in the country, there are only two or so who are active who can give some sort of direction," Lt Gen Tembo said. "First is the MMD and then the Patriotic Front (PF). Others are as good as dead.
Now with the recent quarrels in PF, MMD is the only party which gives you some direction. Under the circumstances as on September 6, 2007, really you don't have much choice. As at now, the MMD is the only party that is viable with direction and it's only logical that he (Prof Chirwa) joins it."
Lt Gen Tembo said people were joining MMD not because they were job seekers but because it was the only viable party.
"If you look at future development, I would be in difficulty explaining what development these other parties may come up with," he said.
Lt Gen Tembo said Prof Chirwa was a citizen and had the right to associate himself with any party he deemed fit.
"As a citizen, he can contribute in any capacity or in politics. The new politicians can change the politics of insults," he said.
Asked if he had any intention of returning to active politics or rejoining the MMD, Lt Gen Tembo said rejoining politics required thorough consultations.
"It's not just a question of waking up one morning and say I want to join that party or this. You have to consult your family and those close to you. For the time being I will be farming, I like growing tomatoes. I haven't done any consultations," said Lt Gen Tembo.
And Hichilema said every citizen had a democratic right to belong to a party of his or her choice.
"It is good as long as one is able to commit to service and not doing it for personal gain," he said.
And in a separate interview, Kalusa said it was shocking that Prof Chirwa who only on Monday during a newsmakers' forum organised by the Press Freedom Committee of The Post was condemning the MMD's policies, was now citing the same policies as the reasons for his joining the party.
"This is a man we were together condemning government policies. I'm shocked to hear that Prof Chirwa has moved to join MMD especially that on Monday we were together in Broadway (Cinema) where we were listening to this man giving academic talk to see how Zambia can regenerate," Kalusa said.
"We are surprised that barely two days later, he has switched to join the MMD. Even after Mr Mutayachalo challenged him that the way he was talking was like a politician, he denied that he had no intentions of joining politics."
He said Prof Chirwa at the Ndola discussion stated that the various sectors such as agriculture, education, health and transport were dead. Kalusa wondered how Prof Chirwa could say the MMD government had good policies.
"He was even telling us that from the time he came, he has not seen a train because the rail system had collapse," Kalusa said. "He was even saying that the health system in this country has collapsed and today he says they have proper policies? Where do the morals of this man lie?"
And Kalusa said Prof Chirwa's move to join the MMD did not pose a threat to the UPND.
"As UPND we are not scared of this man, we will meet him in the battlefield. He's a hypocrite. He should have been bold enough to admit rather than say he is an academician," said Kalusa. "We know he is leaving to make some money. Let him make some money, we will meet him when he comes back. He is just like Nevers Mumba.
From word go, he has shown us how dishonest he is. We will meet him in the political arena. He was the one saying the people in government are mediocre, now he wants to work with the people he is calling mediocre."
Labels: CHRISTON TEMBO, MMD
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Gen Tembo calls for caution on AFRICOM
By Mutuna Chanda
Monday September 03, 2007 [16:33]
Lieutenant General Christon Tembo has advised African leaders who feel that they can counter any hidden agenda that could come from the establishment of the Africa Command (AFRICOM) by the United States to allow it in their countries. Lt General Tembo warned that the establishment of AFRICOM was a double-edged weapon that needed to be studied thoroughly.
“In terms of African interests it may be good in that in the process, you would receive aid and support through military weapons but on the other hand, you would be opening yourselves to foreign manipulation,” Lt Gen Tembo said.
“So we need to be cautious because I know what it entails. It sounds great from the outside but those who know what is involved in such ventures will tell you.”
He said countries that had allowed the US to establish commands such as Germany, Iraq and Afghanistan understood the implications.
Lt Gen Tembo however said once individual countries examined the implications of hosting a US Africa Command and they were clear they could counter any hidden agenda, they could go ahead.
Lt General Tembo said he agreed with President Levy Mwanawasa’s position that Zambia would not support the establishment of the US Africa Command on the continent. Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata has also agreed with President Mwanawasa’s stance on AFRICOM.
President Mwanawasa last Friday said Zambia was not supportive of US intentions to establish its Africa Command on the continent.
Labels: AFRICOM, CHRISTON TEMBO
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Support Levy's call for dialogue - Gen Tembo
By Brighton Phiri and Noel Sichalwe
Saturday August 11, 2007 [04:00]
Zambians should respond positively to President Levy Mwanawasa's call for dialogue, former FDD president Lt Gen Christon Tembo urged yesterday. And the Oasis Forum has petitioned the SADC heads of state to intervene in Zambia's current constitutional crisis to prevent the matter degenerating into anarchy and chaos, ahead of next week's summit.
Commenting on President Mwanawasa's call for dialogue on the constitution making process, Lt Gen Tembo said the President's position must be supported with the seriousness it deserves.
"If President Mwanawasa is calling for dialogue in good faith, it is a good thing for the country. He should be commended because there must be genuine desire for genuine dialogue of the country has to get rid of the current tension among citizens," he said.
Lt Gen Tembo said with a positive response to President Mwanawasa's call for dialogue, the acrimony and tension will disappear amongst stakeholders on the constitution making process.
"I urge all Zambians to support this call. We should not always criticise each other, even when someone means well. If Mwanawasa means what he is saying, let us all support him so that we can realise our desire for a people driven constitution."
Ptresident Mwanawasa on Thursday called for dialogue to afford people a forum for expressing and responding to specific issues of concerns on the constitution making process. He was speaking in Malaysia after attending the 8th Langkawi International Dialogue which he said emphasised on dialogue as an effective tool for addressing various challenges within and among nations.
And according to a petition signed by the Oasis Forum and the Collaborative Group on the Constitution (CGC) comprising of 13 civil society organizations, the Oasis stated that the summit should impress upon President Mwanawasa to commit himself and his government to do the people's will in the constitution making process in Zambia.
"That SADC form a special mission to intervene in the current constitution crisis in Zambia to prevent the matter degenerating into anarchy and chaos," the petition read in part. "That your summit recognizes the importance and need for President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa to first show leadership and humility over the constitutional making process in Zambia before he seeks to exercise similar moral authority in the constitutional issues of other member states."
The Oasis stated that the chairmanship of SADC which President Mwanawasa was going to assume carried important responsibilities that required the incumbent chairperson to exercise leadership in government first in the host country before extending the leadership to other nations. They noted that the civil society in Zambia wished to petition the SADC heads of state during the summit on important matters affecting the democratic governance in Zambia.
The Oasis stated that President Mwanawasa had appointed the Mung'omba Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) in February 2003 following a public outcry for a new constitution which should be people driven. They stated that pursuant to the term of reference number 22 of the Mung'omba CRC, the CRC was mandated to recommend the mode of adoption of the Zambian constitution.
The Oasis noted that in several addresses to the nation and statements, President Mwanawasa promised to abide by the CRC recommendations on the contentious mode of adopting the constitution. They observed that even the ruling MMD in its submission to the CRC dated September 24, 2004 also undertook to abide by the recommendations of the CRC on the mode of adoption of the constitution.
The Oasis indicated that the CRC toured all the 150 constituencies and visited other countries within the region and in Europe to conduct comparative studies. They stated that the CRC further engaged local and international experts to render advice on the mode of adopting the new constitution.
"The Mung'omba Constitution Review Commission was appointed against the backdrop of opposition from the Oasis Forum," the petition further read. "The Oasis Forum objected to the appointment of the Mung'omba Constitution Review Commission and refused to nominate representatives to sit on the Commission because the committee was appointed under the Inquiries Act and section five of that said Act renders all the work of the Constitution Review Commission a mere recommendation which previous presidents in the Republic of Zambia have refused to act upon."
The petition stated that on the basis of President Mwanawasa's pleas to trust him, the Oasis Forum members submitted to the CRC in protest. The petition also stated that in its final report to President Mwanawasa, the CRC submitted that a new constitution should be adopted through a constituent assembly followed by a national referendum and that Parliament should enact a constitution.
"President Mwanawasa and his government have now recanted their earlier repeated assurances to abide by the recommendations of the Mung'omba Constitution Review Commission and have now introduced a bill called the National Constitutional Conference Bill which is intended to be passed into law within the month of August before the Zambian Parliament adjourns sine die," the petition stated.
The Oasis noted that the provisions of National Constitutional Conference (NCC) Bill placed control of the Constitutional Conference in the President and the Minister of Justice to the extent that under sections two and 13(2) of the Bill, the adoption process was envisaged as ending with a mere recommendation to the Minister of Justice.
They stated this situation flew in the teeth of international constitutional making norm.
"The experience of progressive governments in the region who have successfully held their constituent assemblies or constitutional conferences needs to be shared with your brother the President of the Republic of Zambia," stated the petition.
Labels: CHRISTON TEMBO, OASIS FORUM
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Gen Tembo advises Oasis on constitution
By Patson Chilemba
Tuesday July 03, 2007 [04:00]
FORMER Republican vice-president Lieutenant General Christon Tembo has urged the Oasis Forum not to allow political 'chancers' to hijack the constitution-making process. In an interview, Lt Gen Tembo said he was more comfortable with the Oasis Forum fighting for the constitution.
Asked on the sincerity of Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata's statement that the PF leadership will work under the leadership of the Oasis Forum, Lt Gen Tembo responded: "Some politicians might not just hijack the process but might hijack the Oasis Forum itself.
The Oasis Forum has always been careful but should be aware of new maneuvers coming into play. The Oasis Forum should insist on attending the constitution procedures as they are instead of taking on board people who are chancers. It's difficult to get some people on board because by their nature they want to take over."
Lt Gen Tembo said the Oasis Forum has always remained committed to the fight for a new constitution and that it should play a key role in the process.
"The civil society has a larger membership than the parties so they should have insisted that they have a say. Even now it's not too late," Lt Gen Tembo said. "They should demand that they be included on processes such as the Zambia Centre for Inter-party Dialogue (ZCID)."
Lt Gen Tembo further said the people would be justified to hold demonstrations over the constitution if no considerable progress is made by the time Zambia hosts the Southern African Development Community (SADC) heads of state summit next month.
"If there will be sufficient progress by that time then demos might be counter-productive but if there will be no progress, they would be justified to demonstrate because it is their democratic right," said Lt Gen Tembo.
Labels: CHRISTON TEMBO, OASIS FORUM, PF, SADC, SATA
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Referendum will delay constitution - Gen Tembo
By Masuzyo Chakwe and Chibaula Silwamba
Monday June 18, 2007 [04:00]
FORMER Republican vice-president Lieutenant General Christon Tembo has said the proposed referendum on the constituent assembly will delay enactment of the new constitution. And veteran academician and lawyer John Mwanakatwe has advised President Levy Mwanawasa to work closely with civil society and be the first president to give Zambia a people-driven constitution.
Lt Gen Tembo said the proposed referendum was not necessary at this stage.
He suggested that the government should convene a meeting at which all stakeholders should harmonise their positions on how a constituent assembly could be effected instead of going for a referendum.
"A referendum will delay the process of enacting the constitution," said Lt Gen Tembo.
He said although some stakeholders might differ, the meeting would help them harmonise their positions.
"In my view a referendum is not necessary, it might not be possible. There has been sufficient discussion by all stakeholders and what we should look at now is the setting up of the constituent assembly," said Lt Gen Tembo.
"We are spending more time discussing the mode of adopting the constitution instead of the constitution itself."
And in a separate interview, Mwanakatwe said President Mwanawasa was better placed today to give Zambians a lasting constitution.
He said there was no leader in the world who had succeeded by confronting the majority of the people.
Mwanakatwe said the most successful leaders in the world were those who worked in harmony with their people.
He said the country was at the moment in a state of confusion over the constitution making process.
"The commission dutifully and faithfully carried out its mandate; they went round the country to obtain views and suggestions on the review of the constitution from the people. To my knowledge, the Mung'omba Constitution Review Commission visited practically every district in the country after people had been sensitised in order to obtain their views so that for the first time, the people of Zambia would eventually get a people driven constitution," he said.
"In short, I see that there should be no problem on the constitution review process at all. The matter is simple and straightforward; the recommendations of the Mung'omba Constitution Review Constitution should be carefully considered because their report clearly showed that they gave careful attention to representations of the people," he said.
Mwanakatwe said the way forward was to get parties together in an effort to harmonise the conflicting views taken by the civil society and government.
"I think and I have prayed hard that in the near future, a number of respected and knowledgeable citizens will intervene so that civil society and government's view points can be harmonised," he said.
Mwanakatwe said the difficulties envisaged by the government could be overcome once a consensus was reached with other stakeholders.
According to the Mung'omba CRC, an overwhelming number of petitioners submitted that the constitution should be adopted through a constituent assembly, a constitutional conference or a body with broad representation while others submitted that it be adopted by the National Assembly or a national referendum.
The commission recommended, among others, that: the constitution should be repealed and replaced; the constitution should be adopted by a constituent assembly followed by a national referendum.
"The constituent assembly should be composed of elected district representatives, all parliamentarians and representatives of various interest groups," reads the CRC report in part.
"The method of review of the constitution, including the constituent assembly, should be given legal effect by an Act of Parliament laying down the processes and procedures, allocating the necessary resources, as well as stating the composition and functions of the constituent assembly."
Labels: CHRISTON TEMBO, CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY, CRC
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‘Justice has prevailed in London judgment’
By Noel Sichalwe
Saturday June 16, 2007 [04:00]
FORMER Republican vice-president Lieutenant Gen-eral Christon Tembo yesterday said justice has prevailed in the London High Court judgment registration. Commenting on the registration of the London High Court judgment in the Lusaka High Court against former president Frederick Chiluba and other Zambia-based defendants, Lt Gen Tembo said people of Zambia have always expected justice in the matter.
"The judgment in London is settled and the nation and everybody must accept it," he said.
"Obviously this is linked to the criminal cases which are taking place here. Those cases should proceed as scheduled. The defendants should be advised to take these proceedings seriously because that will be the only way to clear themselves. There is no point of staying away or delaying matters. Such cases are better dealt with within the shortest possible time. Zambian people are expecting justice to be done and it's better that all the defendants give the side of their story."
Lt Gen Tembo said the Zambian defendants facing corruption charges in the courts should be prepared to give their story to allow Zambian people know what had transpired with regard to the allegations.
"The London High Court registration is welcome and justice has been done," said Lt Gen Tembo.
But Chiluba's spokesperson Emmanuel Mwamba said he could not say anything on the registration of the judgment and referred all queries to Chiluba's lawyers.
Lawyer Robert Simeza said he could not comment on the issue outside court and could not even indicate when he would file an application to challenge the registration of the London judgment.
The London High Court judgment was registered in the Lusaka High Court on Wednesday.
This followed an application by Attorney General Mumba Malila to register the London judgment in the foreign judgment register.
High Court judge Japhet Banda granted the application for leave to register the judgment after ex-parte hearing.
Judge Banda gave the Zambia-based defendants seven days in which to apply to set aside the judgment failure to which they could execute the judgment.
During last week's hearing that aimed at reconciling figures involved in the matter, judge Smith accepted that Chiluba should pay US $58,293,724, Xavier Chungu US $58,112,727 and Stella Chibanda US $58,112,727.
Others were Aaron Chungu US $27,193,136, Faustin Kabwe US $53,757,867, Francis Kaunda US $100,575, Boutique Basile US $ 1,815,736 and Raphael Soriano US $29,609,582.
However, judge Smith said the figures would remain valid unless they would be challenged by the non-participating defendants.
Last month judge Smith established that Chiluba and others had defrauded Zambia through the BK Facility and the Zamtrop account in London.
This is a case in which the Attorney General of Zambia took out a civil suit against Chiluba and 19 others who were alleged to have siphoned about US$20 million from the state treasury.
Those co-accused with Chiluba include Cave Malik and Company, Xavier Francis Chungu (XFC), Attan Shansonga, Stella Chibanda, Aaron Chungu, Bimal Thaker, Faustin Kabwe, Francis Kaunda, Boutique Basile, Nebraska Associates Limited, MISSL Associates Limited, Hearnville Estates, Jarban SA, Raphael Soriano Katoto, Belsquare Residence, NV Roland Cracco and Robert Standaert.
Labels: CHILUBA, CHRISTON TEMBO, COURTS
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Tembo urges MPs to change attitude
By Patson Chilemba
Monday April 09, 2007 [04:00]
FORMER Republican vice-president Lieutenant-General Christon Tembo has urged members of parliament (MPs) to change their attitude towards debates in the future sittings of parliament. And Lt Gen Tembo has urged politicians that are quarreling over the statement by information minister Vernon Mwaanga, that it was in fact Zambia which owes DRC Katanga Province governor Moses Katumbi US$7 million, to examine themselves before they could comment on the matter.
In an interview, Lt Gen Tembo said the conduct of some members of parliament especially in the parliamentary sitting that just adjourned left much to be desired. Lt Gen Tembo said members of parliament should change their attitudes towards debate. "It is very important that when MPs are in the House, they must demonstrate maturity. Constituencies expect them to represent them in a mature manner...anything short of that is unacceptable to their constituencies," he said.
Lt Gen Tembo said it was up to the constituencies to monitor and sanction members of parliament that failed to represent them in a worthy manner. "They can do that whilst the life of Parliament is still on. They can, within the constituencies meet and pass a message and at the end of the term of Parliament, it's there duty to vote out those who are cantankerous," Lt Gen Tembo said.
"During this life of Parliament MPs should change their attitude."
During some debates in the House sittings that just adjourned, deputy speaker of the National Assembly Mutale Nalumango threatened to 'eject' parliamentarians that shouted and made commentaries while their colleagues were debating.
Roan Patriotic Front (PF) member of parliament Chishimba Kambwili was once 'ejected' by Parliamentary Committees Chairman Mkhondo Lungu for making running commentaries while his colleagues were debating. And Lt Gen Tembo said there was still a lot of political immaturity in most politicians that were 'quarrelling' over the issue of Katumbi. "Most people who are quarrelling are the key players. They want to wash away their hands when they were involved. It's not difficult to unearth these issues. I would advise people who are quarrelling to first examine themselves and say 'how clean am I to take on this matter?'" Lt Gen Tembo said.
Labels: CHRISTON TEMBO, Moses Katumbi, VERNON MWAANGA
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