IS THIS DIALOGUE REAL?

Dear Editor,

THE upcoming dialogue raises more questions than answers. Firstly, I would like to state that the reconciliation cannot between Mr. Hichilema and President Edgar Lungu.

It's the nation of Zambia that is hurting and I pray that will be the reason for the dialogue.

The questions that I can't find answers to are many. How did the Commonwealth come in when the interfaith was already in the process of setting up this dialogue?

After the Vice President Ms. Inonge Wina met the interfaith group, they were assigned to find a solution to the tension that was in the country, but the coming in of General Olusegun Obasanjo, Ms. Patricia Scotland and the Catholic Bishops coupled with the visiting of HH at Mukobeko Maximum Correctional Facility followed by the Nolle prosequi overshadowed and overtook these plans. Who inv, ited the intervention of the Commonwealth? If they were not invited by the government or any group from Zambia, what necessitated the intervention of the Commonwealth?

Where did they get the news that prompted them to come to our help bearing in mind that the Church in Zambia has done the mediation before and succeeded?

How did the Commonwealth arrive at appointing Professor Gambari to mediate?

Wasn't the Professor in the country last year on a peace negotiation mission? Why hasn't the Professor told us the agenda for this dialogue? Why didn't those that visited Mr. Hichilema in Kabwe tell the nation what they discussed with him since this is a national matter?

If HH knew about the upcoming dialogue. Why are those that visited him in Kabwe not condemning his visit to the South African parliament and the opposition?

This is why I feel that the dialogue for me has more questions t h a n answers.

The opening of Parliament on

Friday will be

a test of whether this dialogue is going to yield any results. It will show whether the opposition is willing to dialogue or not.

BISHOP MALAMA.