Opposition political parties to form broad alliance
By Paul Shalala
Eight Opposition political parties have called for the formation of a broad alliance that will challenge the ruling UPND.
Reading a statement on behalf of the eight political parties, United Liberal Party President SAKWIBA SIKOTA said opposition parties want the alliance because the democratic space in the country has shrunk.
And former President EDGAR LUNGU said the opposition political parties are forming a mass movement to wrestle power back to the people.
Meanwhile, Citizens First President HARRY KALABA said the coming together of the opposition political parties is aimed at defending the nation.
The eight political parties which signed the statement include the United Liberal Party, Patriotic Front, New Heritage Party, Citizens First, National Democratic Congress, Golden Party, Economic Freedom Fighters and Forum for Development and Democracy.
But Chief Government Spokesperson CORNELIUS MWEETWA has dismissed the opposition alliance as a marriage of convenience by power hungry politicians.
Mr. MWEETWA says opposition political parties have no moral right to call for an alliance because their past activities in government have left citizens traumatised.
Mr. MWEETWA, who is also Information and Media Minister, says people like former President EDGAR LUNGU who spoke at an opposition press briefing this morning presided over political violence, arrest of opposition political parties and defaulted on debt.
Speaking at a press briefing in Monze this afternoon, Mr. MWEETWA said calls for an alliance with the civil society, the church and other sectors is a bad idea because the people behind the press briefing have a tainted image.
And Mr. MWEETWA has challenged Mr. LUNGU to show those UPND sponsors he is alleging to have met.
He said the sponsors of UPND are the 2.8 Million Zambians who ushered the party in Office.
Meanwhile, Mr. MWEETWA said government has made a lot of progress with both official creditors and private creditors to dismantle the debt which some of the political leaders were responsible for.
The Chief Government spokesperson said some opposition leaders are enjoying the free democratic space created by the UPND to freely campaign.
Mr. MWEETWA said Citizens First President HARRY KALABA, who also spoke at the press briefing, was interviewed for one hour on ZNBC Sunday Interview programme, a thing which would have never happened in the previous regime.
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