Statement from the Socialist Party on National Dialogue Forum

The Socialist Party has followed the process of the National Dialogue from the very beginning.

We were ready to participate with the church serving as a neutral arbitrator. The church mother bodies still offer some light in this dark and uncaring world that we live in. The initiative was however not given any chance.

The Patriotic Front ignored and disregarded that initiative with impunity. The Patriotic Front apparently wanted a process it could conceptualise, execute and oversee itself.

Today, we are being called upon to participate in such a shameful, manipulative and costly exercise! Just like with the debacle of the constitutional making process, this new attempt is an insult on the collective intelligence and wisdom of the Zambian people. The Patriotic Front is not interested in constitutional changes, electoral reforms, the repeal of the Public Order Act or any changes that would enhance liberties for all – other than itself.

It is therefore naive and wishful thinking to put people’s hopes for equity, justice and peace in this National Dialogue Forum.

The Socialist Party will not participate in such a shameful platform. Let the millions of tax-payers money to be spent go towards meeting salary and pensions of our people. Those thousands not paid are a priority, not the pretentious Forum.

As such the Socialist Party will not participate in this wasteful, corrupt, manipulative scheme of the Patriotic Front.

Issued by Dr Cosmas Musumali on behalf of the Politburo of Socialist Party.