UPND lacks political maturity-Chimbaka

THE negative approach by the UPND towards the political dialogue is a sign of lack of political maturity among its top leadership,” says former UPND Luapula Province chairperson Besa Chimbaka. Mr Chimbaka, who is former Luapula Province minister, said the Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID) was capable of facilitating the dialogue contrary to the UPND’s claims that suggested otherwise. “Maturity is sitting down and resolving our own differences within our own means so that other countries can emulate Zambia. This is not time for lame excuses. It’s time for critical thinking. My prayer is that those who want to behave contrary must think twice and learn to agree to disagree because that is the meaning of democracy, to accept contrary views,” he said. “They (UPND) should know that they are devaluing their status and their importance. It may not be today but history is being written. Once upon a time people shall ask were where these people when this forum was being held.” In an interview with the Daily Nation Mr Chimbaka said Zambia had competent systems and institutions to facilitate dialogue within the political system as a democracy. “Foreign intervention can only be sought when our own means and systems have failed to resolve our differences. So I think what we require is a round-table conference through interparty dialogue,” he said Mr Chimbaka said several stakeholders were willing to support the ZCID-led dialogue. “A good number of political parties are geared, they are excited, and dialogue is the way forward. Even in the Holy Bible it’s there, people must sit down and dialogue, learn to agree and disagree, and resolve our differences as a republic. “The issue of trying to hide in this and that will take us nowhere. People who want peace, all political parties who want to uphold sovereignty, who want to uphold the tenets of democracy, people who want to respect the rule of law and who want to respect our own created institutions should always try to rise above partisanship,” he said