WHAT REVOLUTION?

CALLS for a revolution to unseat the ruling Patriotic Government are not only misplaced but treasonable and should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve. The current Government was democratically elected and it is unlawful for anybody to incite citizens to revolt for whatever reasons. :e tKeUeIRUe find calls E\ $lliance IRU &RPmunity Action executive director Laura Miti and United Progressive Party leader Saviour Chishimba to incite people to revolt shocking, unpatriotic and a recipe for anarchy. While citizens have the right to freedom of speech and to protest in any democratic dispensation, calling on people to rise against the government in power is ill-conceived, unconstitutional and hijacks the very tenets of democracy. Why would any patriotic citizen want their own country to be in turmoil simply because they have a bone to chew with those in power? Any serious patriotic peace-loving citizen reJaUdless RI aIfiliatiRn NnRZs tKat dialRJXe and the ballot as opposed to a revolution were two important ingredients in a democracy. It is strange that while, people from neighERXUinJ cRXntUies aUe ÀeeinJ tXPRil in tKeiU countries and seeking asylum in Zambia, self-acclaimed democrats and civil rights actiYists Zant tKe cRXntU\ tR Ee Rn fiUe As Lusaka-based lawyer Hobday Kabwe observes, it is politically illiterate for anyone to call for the unlawful removal of a legitimately elected leader or government. “I t is criminal to call for a revolution to unseat a legitimately elected leader or government. People vote in an election to elect their leader so why should someone come and take that right away? It is criminal, actually treasonous to do that,”h e warns. We can’t agree more with Mr Kabwe. Instead of inciting people to unseat the government, those advocating a revolt must be sensitising people on importance of voting during elections to avert the problem of apathy. Undoubtedly, as alluded to already, calls for a revolution are a recipe for anarchy and should not be taken lightly by law enforcement agencies. Those making such calls should not cry foul RU SRint an accXsinJ finJeU at an\ERd\ EXt should have themselves to blame when the law visits them. It is also very disturbing that such calls are coming at a time when the Patriotic Front and the UNPD have agreed on a truce and measures to tackle violence. Inciting people to revolt will not only reverse the gains achieved by the two parties but also derail the ongoing efforts by various stakeholders towards successful political dialogue. It is common knowledge that some of the so-called rights activists merely parrot their “m asters’ sentiments. This ensures their livelihood through continued funding. But thankfully, people do not pay any attention to them for they know that they do not mean any good. They merely have a nose for identifying sources for funds.