WE DON’T NEED FOREIGN MEDIATION - MULONGOTI
IT is embarrassing for Zambians to seek external mediation from organisations like Amnesty international on conflicts between political parties 53 years after independence Peoples Party president Mike Mulongoti has said.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Nation Mr Mulongoti said that it was embarrassing for Zambians to engage international organisations to reach a consensus on political differences when the country was independent.
“It is unfortunate that some people have decided to run to the international community, there is no need for us to wash dirty linen in public, this shows that we have failed to sit down as politicians and sort out issues internally,” he said
Mr Mulongoti wondered why politicians could not discuss challenges and concerns internally 53 years after independence.
He said that Zambia was respected worldwide because of peace and adherence to democracy and human rights.
Mr Mulongoti said that involving international organisations to resolve conflicts only dents the reputation of the country.
“We cannot fail to sort out our own problems, we must begin to ask ourselves why such things happen, government should create a conducive environment for us politicians to discuss on a round table. I feel the lack of such measures is what is causing people to run to the international community,”he said.
Mr Mulongoti further said that he did not form the people’s party to get into government but to provide checks and balances.
“we will continue to provide checks and balances because it is our role, we did not form this party to get into government, we want to serve the Zambians even in the opposition, we urge the PF government to listen to us when we have something to say, not to run away from us, let us talk and sort the problems we have internally because we are an independent country,”he said.