Dialogue now!

SIGNALS have resonated for the country to immediately espouse political dialogue.

Politicians, civil society members and the Church have for a long time been discussing issues of national importance from scattered points instead of presenting matters in a more focused and interactive fashion.

The political space is not short of repulsive discourse and serious accusations and counteraccusation floating on social media that has provided fertile ground for debate in the absence of a more organised and regular national dialogue.

Fake news, cyber bullying, character assassination and political violence are usually stimulated by lack of an effective interface between the opposition and ruling party leaders on one hand and the entire band of politicians and the people on the other.

In such a scenario, the social media thrives with diverse political information, laced with falsehoods and half-truths. Credible information is also available on social media platforms though.

It will be disastrous to let social media solely shape public opinion. The traditional media is also diverse with each outlet embracing a distinct editorial policy and thus the public is left at the cross-roads.

Yes, all major political parties have media directorates and other platforms designed to disseminate information, assess public opinion and to enhance their respective organisations’ image. This is not enough!

Politicians from both sides must for once calm down and seriously start preparing for a national dialogue.

They must not communicate through disparaging media statements that work to spark controversy.

We are aware that some politicians are fond of grandstanding and to play innocence so that they appeal to gullible citizens.

A mature approach will render the process successful; the current political scenario in Kenya must serve as a reference point.

The Patriotic Front, the United Party for National Development, National Restoration Party, Forum for Democracy and Development, MMD and other established political parties must take the lead in organising political dialogue.

The civil society and the Church are an integral part of the governance process hence they too must be in the lead. It is very clear that the political landscape has become rugged to the extent that intolerance and downright anger is the daily menu.

Of course, there are politicians who are genuinely keen to participate in dialogue while others are spoilers whose primary aim is to punch holes in whatever their opposite colleagues are doing.

Zambia also has numerous level-headed politicians who have opted to remain mute because the political space is contaminated. They do not want to be dragged in the mud.

Under the circumstances, political leaders from both sides of the tide must be magnanimous enough to genuinely and steadfastly exploit national dialogue. Such an instrument must be regular.

They must “open their eyes” and see reality on the ground.

They must start preparing for dialogue away from public glare while at the same time avoiding media statements until at an opportune time. They must not scuttle this process prematurely through public stunts.

It is through such platforms that certain serious matters that are lingering and hanging in the public domain can be cleared.

The advantage is that answers to questions will be instant and directed at an appropriate audience rather than pouting in public with unsubstantiated allegation against each other.

With plausible political dialogue, there will be less litigation and criminal charges involving politicians. All pressing issues will be settled on the round-table.

In the meantime, political parties with outstanding in-house matters must resolve them so that there is no spillage and pulling of the rope in opposite directions. Representation to the national “indaba” must be amicably agreed within and across parties.

This process must come to fruition.

There have been calls for political dialogue for a long time without any success partly because of preconditions from both the ruling and the opposition parties. This must stop!