Engage ZCID behind closed doors not through media, PF urges church

The Church has been advised against engaging the Zambia Center for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID) in the media on the issue of national dialogue.

The ruling PF is urging the Church to instead provide leadership and counsel by engaging the ZCID behind closed doors.

PF Deputy Media Director Antonio Mwanza says his party does not support the exchange of statements that Church and the ZCID have been making in the media.

Mr. Mwanza says the ruling PF is concerned that if this exchanges continue, the entire national dialogue process will be politicized.

In an interview with QTV News Mr. Mwanza states that this is why the Church, as a neutral arbiter should find time to meet with the ZCID.

Mr. Mwanza says on its part, the ruling PF is resolved that the ZCID be should be facilitator of the dialogue process while the role of chairing it should be left to the Church.

And opposition Economic and Equity Party (EEP) leader Chilifya Tayali has urged the Church to realize that it cannot exclude the ZCID in the issue of national dialogue process.

Mr. Tayali has told QTV News in a separate interview that this is because the ZCID in fact represents all political parties they want to bring together in the dialogue process.

He says the Church must also realize that it is actually political parties with representation in Parliament that will implement any constitutional reforms that will be resolved in the dialogue process.

Mr. Tayali says this means that the national dialogue process is not about reconciling political parties but about constitutional reforms.