State committed to dialogue

CHIEF government spokesperson Dora Siliya says government will adhere to the agenda for dialogue, regardless of the impeachment motion.

Ms Siliya says the dialogue process is of interest to Zambians.

According to a ZNBC report, Ms Siliya who is also Minister of information and broadcasting services was speaking at a joint media briefing with Minister of Justice Given Lubinda in Lusaka.

And Mr. Lubinda said government is committed to dialogue saying no motion, including impeachment, will derail it from the process.

He said the dialogue process and the Impeachment motion are totally separate and that inclusive dialogue is much more important than the impeachment motion.

The minister of Justice said Government respects the move by opposition UPND Members of Parliament to initiate the impeachment motion as it is in exercise of their constitutional right under Article 108. Mr. Lubinda has clarified that the motion has no bearing on any other matters relating to the exercise by Government of its functions.

He has also stated that Government will continue to rely on the Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue and looks forward to continued interest and collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Meanwhile the United Party for National Development -UPND- says the party will be part of the dialogue process.

UPND Mazabuka Central Member of Parliament Garry Nkombo says the dialogue process will bring people together and will ensure unity.

Mr. Nkombo says the UPND wants to be part of the much-anticipated dialogue because it is an initiative agreed by all parties. He however maintained that the impeachment process the party started is part of the dialogue process.

Meanwhile, the UPND has maintained that no fraud was committed in the process to move a motion to impeach President Edgar Lungu.

Mr. Nkombo was speaking to ZNBC news in an interview in Lusaka.