CALLING FOR THE FORMATION OF A BROAD CROSS CUTTING NATIONAL ALLIANCE
WE the Parties gathered here, being fully registered Political Parties in Zambia, and having the full mandate of our various Political Parties, having recognised and having taken into account the state of the nation, in terms of:
Growing despair, disillusionment,
In our daily interaction with the citizenry we have noted that The Zambian people in concert and unanimity feel that the country needs to heal and come together.
The Zambian people expressed a feeling of disappointment resulting from the discovery that things are not as good as they believed they would be.
The Zambian people have a general sense of disillusionment with the politics, economics and governance of our nation.
It is clear that the Zambian people are;
Disillusioned by the Political Governance of our country
Displeased by the Shrinking Democratic Space leading to the loss of the political democratic space for the Political Parties and Citizens alike.
Stifled by the Gagging of Citizens through legislation like the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act and the laws on criminal defamation.
Regret that in Foreign Policy, the country has taken a negative trajectory at Regional as well as at Continental and International levels putting us unnecessarily at odds with even some of our neighbors.
Distressed that Zambia has lost our hard-won status as the bastion of the Liberation Struggle and the status of being champions of Pan-Africanism.
Despondent with the Overcrowding in schools, leading to an increased pupil/teacher ratio, that was already high and the over working of teachers leading to their reduced effectiveness.
Discontent with the Disruption of supply chains for medical supplies as a result of well-established supply chains being sidelined.
Distressed that there is Political interference in matters that should have been left to technocrats.
Mortified that The Cholera Pandemic has reached mortality rates larger than we have ever had since independence and a clear plan going forward as how not to have a greater repeat of this crisis going forward.
Dejected by the Hostility towards Clergy In our Christian Nation.
Alarmed at the shortage of mealie meal that is creating a hunger situation and high prices.
Perturbed that there is no plan B to the World Bank and IMF debt restructuring plan.
Confused by the reduced taxation to mining houses resulting in reduced income to the Government whilst, Zambians, who earn very little are being taxed to the bone.
Left with Heads Spinning due to the rising Cost of living and spiraling inflation as a result of foreign exchange that is in freefall and now at an all-time high.
The Zambian people have expressed their disappointment at what is happening and approaching us demanding that we work in unison with all people who wish this great country to fulfill its undoubted potential.
Society is disintegrating.
There is Growing Regional polarization
There is Political disintegration between and within parties
There are rising venomous exchanges
This disillusionment is due to a number of factors.
There is no doubt that the challenges the nation faces have left the Zambian People, Deluded, Duped, Misrepresented, Misinformed, Tricked, fooled, Misguided, Beguiled, Took in, Hoodwinked, Bluffed and Hoaxed.
We need to make Zambians satisfied, contented, pleased, happy, joyful, gratified, delighted, blissful, jubilant, triumphant and elated.
People have been calling upon the government to call an indaba in view of the dire economic situation we find ourselves in. Government have not responded to this call.
We are not here to repeat the call on government to call a National Indaba. It would be great if Government did call for the Indaba but, we the People have the Right, Nay, the Duty, to gather together with all people of Good Will to discuss and find solutions to the many challenges this country faces.
The problems and challenges Zambia faces require all well-meaning people to work together. No one person or group have the monopoly of knowledge. It would be wrong and deceitful for us to claim any one of us can on their own correct or mend it.
We are convinced that the first step towards changing the mood from gloom to contentment and resolving our nation’s problems is to have all well-meaning people to acknowledge that we have problems that need to be fixed.
The second step is to come together to share ideas on how to move our country forward.
We are thus calling upon the good people of Zambia to insist that we all, (that is not only political parties (including the Ruling Party) but also CSOs, Church Mother Bodies, Law Association of Zambia, professional bodies and the general citizenry) meet under a neutral chair.
Zambia deserves this.
It is not new.
This has happened before in the history of our great country. Indeed it is what makes our country great.
Who can dispute that The Oasis Forum played an important role in putting our country back on track?
Who can deny that OCIDA play an important role in giving the nation a conscious?
We therefore demand that this country go down this wellknown and proven path.
WE THE POLITICAL PARTIES present here today are knocking on the door to be part of the coming together of all people of good will to find a way to take our country to greater heights.
LET’S SAVE ZAMBIA AND MAKE IT GREAT AGAIN. THANK YOU
POLITICAL PARTIES AS REPRESENTED BY THEIR LEADERS
Political Party
President
Signature
Citizens First
President Harry Kalaba
Forum for Democracy and Development
President Edith Nawakwi
Golden Party of Zambia
President Jackson Silavwe
National Democratic Congress
President Saboi Imboela
New Heritage Party
President Chishala Kateka
Patriotic Front
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu
United Liberation Party
President Sakwiba Sikota