Political Party SGs meet in Siavonga

By NATION REPORTER A MEETING of secretary generals of political parties has opened in Siavonga with delegates questioning the decision by the United Party for National Development (UPND) to send proxies to represent it. The delegates demanded an assurance from the representatives that they carried the party’s full mandate and whether they would not be disowned after resolutions were passed. The UPND is represented by head of policy and research Dr Choolwe Beyani, national trustee Collins Maoma and their legal counsel Mukambo Haumbe in place of their party secretary general Stephen Katuka, his deputy Patrick Mucheleka and Garry Nkombo who had earlier confirmed participation First chairperson of the Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID) Katele Kalumba said if the level of the representatives sent to attend the meeting was not adequate it would be difficult for the representatives to impress on their presidents on what would be agreed during the meetings. Dr Kalumba was speaking during the official opening of the meeting in the tourist town of Siavonga yesterday. “I hope the representation from UPND reflects an adequate and highest possible level for briefing their president on issues relating to this summit. “I can tell you all eyes are here in Siavonga as far as Zambians are concerned they know that this meeting is taking place. “I am hoping that a meeting of secretary generals will come up with an agenda to start the process of dialogue and reconciliation so I hope that we don’t miss this opportunity,” he said. And PF Secretary General Davis Mwila was concerned saying sending proxies to the meeting would set a bad precedent for the coming Presidents’ Summit where others would want to send representatives. Mr Mwila said the UPND should be firm and assure the meeting that they would send their president to the Presidents’ summit as it hinged on the continued peace of the country. The MMD through their National Secretary Raphael Nakacinda submitted that UPND representatives should assure the nation that they would not be disowned by their party after resolutions were passed. He said the meeting was for secretary generals and so principal office bearers should have been the ones attending and not their proxies. He said there was need therefore for assurance from the UPND that the officials in attendance would not be abandoned by their party. But the UPND officials assured the delegates that the team sent to represent the UPND was equal to the task.