MISGUIDED PROTEST

WE find it hard to believe that a political party can plan a public protest march, demand regime change, invite other parties to join and at the same time claim it would be nonpartisan. Surely this does not make sense for any talk of regime change smacks of politics – removing a political party that is in government. But that is what a member of the United Party for National Development (UPND) youth wing wants us to believe. The youth leader was recently on Diamond Television during which he announced the planned protest. He said it would be non political. Surprisingly, he was clad in a UPND beret and other party paraphernalia. Among the issues that he raised was the government’s decision to sell gold mines to foreigners. They would also protest against the huge presence of the Chinese in the country’s economic sphere, that the government was giving them preferential treatment. He also mentioned education, that the government’s institutions of higher learning were offering poor quality education and the huge youth unemployment figures. He said the youth would be protesting against the government’s failure to provide leadership in the country. While any Zambian is free to comment on any governance issue in the country, it is best that these be based on facts rather than mere generations. Government has gone on record to state that no gold mine has been sold to any foreign entity in the country. What has transpired, as we know it, is that ZCCM-IH has partnered with a Sudanese company –Karma – to process the gold that would be mined by local artisanal miners in Rufunsa. Government has been consistent and has encouraged Zambians in gold mining areas to form cooperatives. It has even gone further to provide the cooperatives with basic mining tools to kick start their operations. We recall that the UPND president Mr Hakainde Hichilema is yet to substantiate his claims about any gold mine that has been sold to a foreigner. If anything, Government has not stopped any Zambian with the means to venture into gold mining or even processing. After all, the more Zambians involved the better for the country. When one speaks of regime change, that immediately removes the defence of being bipartisan. Regime change does not actually mean winning power by legitimate means. Instead, the planned regime change could plunge the country into untold turmoil and misery. Which investor would they attract then? It speaks volumes about someone not really understanding the dynamics of politics. The ruling Patriotic Front won elections in 2016 which the UPND competed in. Its mandate ends in August next year, when fresh elections will be held. Speaking of regime change now is actually trying to seize power by cutting corners. And as stated earlier, you cannot call for a demonstration demanding regime change and claim it is non partisan. The UPND must convince the Zambian people and win their trust that it is ready to form government. Its manifesto, on how it hopes to improve the country’s economic and political prospects is what will win it the elections. In fact, it is hard to really know what youths in the UPND want. Just yesterday, several groupings comprising UPND youths from Senanga and Kafue, women and NGOs petitioned the Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Patrick Matibini not to entertain Members of Parliament who shun their responsibilities of formulating laws in Parliament. The groupings comprise, Authentic Advocacy for Justice and Democracy (AAJD), Progress Disabled Association, Women Movement for Development. Their bone of contention was their fear that UPND MPs might walk out of Parliament when Bill 10 is being debated. They want the MPs to be in the House and debate. AAJD president Josphat Changwe representing the groups handed over the petition to Bwana Mkubwa MP, Jonas Chanda to be conveyed to the Speaker. Mr Changwe said in a democratic dispensation, walking out of Parliament was unacceptable because members should expect divergent views and ideas. We think the planned protest is an exercise in futility being planned by people who do not really know what they want. Let common sense prevail.