SOCIALIST PARTY NOT AGAINST ALLIANCES - M’MEMBE

FRED M’membe has refuted media reports that he has been against political party alliances because his party strongly believes that alliances are a symbol of unity, cooperation and solidarity among political parties.

Dr M’membe, the leader of the Socialist Party had so far extended more cooperation and solidarity than it was receiving.

In a statement issued by his media director Brian Hapunda, Dr M’membe, who is in Mwansabombwe said Zambia needed all sorts of political alliances which he noted could either be strategic or happenstance.

“We, Socialists, believe that we should be there for others even if there is no body for us. We also believe that to solve bigger problems facing our people including bigger problems facing the world, there is need to form broad alliances with others,” Dr M’membe said.

“We are forging strategic alliances with religious institutions, traditional leaders, civic leaders and civic organizations, among others,” he said.

Dr M’membe said what was not yet happening that needed to happen at some point was the happenstance alliances required to win elections.

“But there is a time for everything. There is a season for everything. Even in marriage you do not just stand up the following day you have a marriage ceremony from nowhere. There is the payment of lobola and the negotiations that go on before that there are preparations. One needs a house to get married, you need some source of income or livelihood to get married and bring up children and so on. So, those preparations are necessary,” Dr M’membe said.

He said the Socialist Party would definitely need to get into alliances with others as the country was going towards the 2026 general elections.

“But there are preparations that we need to make before we get into especially happenstance alliances that are for purposes of winning elections. We need to get into those,” he said.

Dr. M’membe said there was need to take something to the table if a party wanted to get into an alliance to win an election which is a happenstance alliance.

He said the SP needed to mobilise and strengthen its structures so that it can make a contribution to the alliance while taking something to the table.

“We will just be a burden on others. And we do not want to turn others into burden bearers. The time for alliances will come and we will be part of those alliances. The work needed before alliances are entered into will be done. It starts now,” he said.

Dr. M’membe said the SP had been cooperating with others in the opposition on various issues and has no problem in working alliances.