Socialist Party President Fred M’membe says the UPND administration, which clocks two years in office next month, has been disastrous.

Dr M’membe said the UPND government would be remembered for gagging divergent views by arresting opponents, and that even though tribalism was prevalent in previous administrations, the UPND had hit a record high.

He said the UPND administration had proven to be a puppet of Western governments by allowing an AFRICOM “office” in Lusaka, which posed a threat to neighbouring countries.

In addition, the government had failed to address the cost of living over the past couple of years with large increases in the prices of mealie meal, fuel and electricity.

The UPND administration had backtracked on other promises as well, such as its policy on street vendors and a pledge not to allow Vedanta to return to run Konkola Copper Mines – KCM.

Dr M’membe said there had also been selective justice in the fight against corruption with only political opponents being targeted, ignoring deep-rooted corruption in the UPND government.