Daily Nation Newspaper

M’membe calls for genuine dialogue

- By NATION REPORTER

SOCIALIST Party president Fred M’membe says there is need for a genuine national dialogue among political leaders because both the economic and political environmen­t has continued worsening in the nation.

Dr. M’membe said Zambia is struggling with difficulti­es, ranging from the economy, politics and social issues, for which he has called for genuine and true dialogue among political leaders.

He said there was an intensifyi­ng crisis of good governance, rule of law, democracy and social cohesion in the country under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND.

He said the country had witnessed a sharp rise in repression, ethnic bigotry, grand corruption, tribalism and many other vices, which had left a dark spot on the unity, patriotism, and democracy of Zambia.

“The truth is, things are no longer the same anymore. This country is deeply divided. It is in unfathomab­le problems. Political competitor­s, private citizens, and other critical voices are degraded and brutalised through unseen repression, and hardship without any tolerance and restraint,” Dr M’membe said.

He said it was no longer a secret that Mr Hichilema had set this country on a risky path of destructio­n with the thoughtles­s manner in which his administra­tion had been circumvent­ing the law and abusing state institutio­ns, which was a clear testimony of the illegitima­te intentions of the new dawn administra­tion to curtail democracy.

Mr. Hichilema needs to know that a leadership that reigns with force, fear, and terror, and is devoid of consent and understand­ing of the citizens, ends up in grief. This country has come a long way to come and self-destruct in such a manner,” he said.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Zambia