PF, UPND draw coexistence roadmap
‘…Political criminals to be forgiven’
By NATION REPORTER THE ruling Patriotic Front (PF) and opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) have drawn a roadmap for their coexist agreement, which includes forgiving political criminal among others.
The two biggest political parties have agreed to coexist after almost a decade of being at loggerheads with each other.
In what someone would have anticipated to be an impossibility, a delegation of UPND officials yesterday paid a courtesy call on their PF counterparts at the ruling party secretariat to come up with resolutions for the recently signed peace treaty.
The courtesy call was characterised by hugs and smiles among members of the two biggest political parties which were once perceived to be enemies.
Both PF national youth chairperson, Stephen Kampyongo and UPND’s Munji Habeenzu agreed that the two parties should coexist despite having different ideologies.
“Peace and harmony should prevail among our people from now till forever more. We will coexist!” they agreed.
Mr Habeenzu, who said that it was his first time to step foot at the PF secretariat joked that he almost mistaken the invitation to being a trap.
Following a two hour meeting at the PF secretariat, the two parties resolved to depoliticize markets and bus stations and that the process should start immediately.
Mr Kampyongo, who is Home Affairs Minister agreed on behalf of the ruling party individuals arrested on petty political squabbles would be given amnesty in line with government guidelines.
The two parties agreed that business persons who had been displaced from markets and bus stations for political reasons should be brought back.
They also agreed not be deploying cadres from one area to another during campaigns, to demilitariSe their cadres and not using unpalatable language.
According to PF deputy media director, Antonio Mwanza who briefed the media on behalf of both parties, a steering committee consisting of members from both PF and UPND would be instituted.
Earlier, UPND chairperson for women Charity Kabwiku who was part of the delegation expressed happiness that the two youth wings had agreed to resolve differences.
“If the youths can do it, what can stop Hakainde and Lungu?” she questioned.
And PF secretary general, Davies Mwila took time to welcome the UPND delegation, which included its deputy secretary general Patrick Mucheleka at the PF secretariat.