TENDENCIES THAT GOT PF KICKED OUT, CREEPING IN – SACCORD

By Arnel Chitundu

THE Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has observed the negative tendencies stopped by the President Hakainde Hichilema when he came into power, are slowly creeping back into the governance system of Zambia.

Speaking to The Scoop, SACCORD Acting Executive Director, Arthur Muyunda said it was concerning that Zambia was slowly going back to old ways of living.

Mr. Muyunda said the United Party for National Development (UPND) should know that as Zambia continues its journey towards consolidating democratic principles, the world watches closely and that citizens were still hopeful of a future defined by liberty, accountability, and inclusiveness.

 He however said that the old tendencies which got the PF kicked out of power were slowly becoming the new normal and that the sooner the UPND Government realized that the trajectory they were taking was not good for political survival, the better.

He stated that issues of slowly closing the political space and using the police and the Public Order Act (POA) to silence voices with divergent views, were slowly coming back into the political system of Zambia.

“President Hichilema’s ascension to power was seen as a victory that would bring a new era for Zambia as it has been instrumental in reinstating electoral democracy and significantly reducing repression, a situation that shouldn’t change,” Mr. Muyunda said.

He explained that Zambia’s democratic progress demonstrated that sustained efforts could lead to positive change, even in challenging circumstances and efforts, recognized the role played by every citizen of the country.

He also observed some opposition political leaders were downplaying the ranking of Zambia as third democratic country, stating that they should not condemn and politicize everything as opposition leaders were the Government in waiting and should rather celebrate the achievements of the country.