Mating Season
Welcome to Zambia’s political “mating season” – that time in our political calendar when bars, schools, homes and the general media are abuzz with talk about the need for unity amongst opposition parties for the primary purpose of saving the country from the tyranny of a government that has stopped caring about the people. This is the time when one politician after another fancies their chances at being able to attract the support of rival politicians to attain the elusive prize of becoming the republican president.
Some commentators have even gone as far as claiming the existence of an alliance among various political prties including NAREP that they now claim we have supposedly withdrawn from. This information is of course false but the truth is going to be hard to decipher when so much seems to be at stake in our current political climate. Before we address this issue of NAREP’s position on political alliances, however, let us look at a the short history of these alliances in Zambia.
Interestingly, the most memorable political alliance after Independence occurred in 1990 and did not even involve a single political party. When the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) was born, there was no such thing as opposition politics and few were prepared to be openly associated with the MMD, including its most famous leader Frederick Chiluba. One of the MMD’s pricipal founders, Akashambatwa Mbikusita Lewanika, faced several hurdles in convincing Chiluba and others of an idea whose time had come. That idea was multiparty democracy. Eventually, however, the momentum grew and groups from all walks of life and all sectors of society came together and were successful in unseating an administration that had been in power for 27 years. Sadly, the unity extended only as far as the resolve to remove Kaunda from power and in due course, it became clear that the party that spearheaded a return to plural politics had lost its relevance.
Since then various other political alliances have been attempted, with little or no success. When several parties came together to form the United Democratic Alliance in order to contest the 2006 elections under a single candidate, the battle as to who would be the flag-bearer resulted in acrimony and distrust and left bitter repercussions amongst the participants that persist to this day.
When we fast-forward to 2011, we see how the attempt by the Patriotic Front and the United Party for National Development collapsed spectacularly over the question of who the leader of this united force would be. The leadership question was really just the tip of the iceberg. Deeper problems of the lack of a common party culture, the lack of similar values and vision as well as a lack of commitment to establishing sound working committees to iron out the objectives were evident from the very beginning and persisted throughout the entire period that the two camps publicly pretended that the “Pact” existed.
The lasting legacy of these failed attempts at political union has been a deep suspicion amongst politicans. This suspicion is rooted in the bitterness and animosity that resulted from the failure of previous alliance partners to successfully resolve the question of who the leader would be without injuring one another in the process.
While it is indeed important, preoccupation with the question of leadership of a political alliance is a double-edged sword. Putting off the decision as to who the leader will be can help to move things along initially but it tends to create an environment of unhealthy competitiveness which if not handled correctly could destroy the very unity upon which the alliance depends. Further – and as already alluded to – it is not the only factor that makes for a successful alliance.
Entering a political alliance is not something that should be done lightly or in haste. If it is is to be done sustainably, it is something that should be based on a bigger motive that just removing a bad leader from power. We have repeatedly pointed out that coming together purely for the purpose of unseating a bad administration is a recipe for disaster and will only carry an organisation so far.
NAREP believes that for political alliances to work successfully in our current climate in Zambia, five things are critical and need to be fully ironed out not after but before any talk about an alliance can be concluded: (a) identification of a shared vision and values; (b) agreement on clear objectives; (c) agreement on structures and how the work of the alliance will be coordinated; (d) drafting of a roadmap; and (e) identification of a flag-bearer or leader.
It is for this reason that when we were invited for talks to form an alliance with a group of political players, we made ourselves available to explain our reservations about proceeding in the manner intended. This was the right thing to do and it is what we would expect from any self-respecting political party. It is therefore wholly incorrect to state that we have left any so-called alliance – for how can someone leave something that does not yet exist?
Too many politicians have made the mistake of rushing into marriages of political convenience only to regret the decision when the true nature of the participants emerges over the fight for who will be in charge. We do not want to be a part of such an outcome. The values that guided our journey into politics remain the values that will guide our continued belief that our country needs leadership that can focus on issues and not insults, problem-solving not personality-bashing, development and not disunity, people and not just politics.
Let us not lose sight of the real battle before us – putting in place at all levels of society, the leadership that will restore the fortunes of our nation and enable each and every Zambian to have the unfettered opportunity to pursue all their legitimate dreams and aspirations and live up to their full potential.
May God’s grace be with Zambia.
Elias C. Chipimo
President
National Restoration Party
Thursday 23 January 2014
In as much as I like this “Mating season” Am just worried about some things like ellecting the right candidate for the presidency! It is safe to say when there are alot more candidates , it gets alot easier to determine the right crop unlike, otherwise?
The other thing am concerned about is who the ultimate leader will be, are individua party leaders ready to forego their dreams for the sake of another? And what happens to the followers, have you thought about their conscience in dealing with the aftermath of giving up their support for their prefered leader because you say so? What is the backlash of all this? Have they exercised their right in voicing their opnion over this and have they been emotionally transitioned in giving up their support?
Before you make that critical decision examine the coin on both sides to avoid future confusions.Am curious as hell, when are the elections for party leaders anyway? By the way Mr Chipimo You are cool keep it up!
@cindy
I totally agree with you and Chipimo. Now is not the time for forming alliances. This alliance saga is the PF’s brain child as they want to disorganise well organised parties like UPND and MMD. I am totally against UPND forming any alliances with any party because that would cause a lot confusions.
For now UPND should forge ahead with its agenda until 2016. At least most of these tu ma parties will have run out of resources and will simply dissolve themselves and then join one promising party or get swallowed up by PF as NAREP will soon be. In Zambia party alliances can not work before elections just like in many developed countries. Talking about alliances after the election makes a lot of sense because by then a more popular party will have the authority to set the agend
HH if read my blogs, please listen to what most of us who support UPND are saying. Do not stoop to low to be coerced into an unworkable political alliance right now. The only thing you can probably do is help each other win these by elections for now by supporting and campaigning for one promising candidate to beat PF. For example in Eastern province , Central, and Noth Western MMD and UPND should support one party candidate if that candidate belongs to a party which has a strong hold in that region.
The whole aim for now is to stop PF in its tracks so they stop nullifying seats on flimsy grounds.
UPND can win the 2016 elections on its own without any alliance. Forming alliances should be done after the elections.
@ Wanzelu,
While the mating is a good idea, It’s not the right time indeed. I hope they know what they are doing, otherwise, we will experience PF fighting Reloaded in the mated party!
So you are applying as campaign manager for HH I hear? I for one would have loved Dr Kaseba but there has been nothing so far, so am banking on Chipimo.I just want young and fresh blood this time around.
but mr chipimo your party does not matter whether it forms an alliance or not because you have to convince the zambians and potential partners that you have a base by getting a few seats both at council level and parliament. as for me at the moment you are just a kangaroo party. you do not matter what ever your decision is
@ Matipa,
I think Mr Chipimo has a better chance of scoring higher numbers in the Nothern and the C/B, not that am being tribal, but fact is he is so clean all the way. Lets give him a chance, problem in Zambia we love people who carry so much gabbage and full of drama! This guy is just not that which I find attractive for a president!
Chipimo, when did you have this change of heart on Alliances? Is this after your disappointment with ABZ and FDD? You have been trying to court father Bwalya lately. Are you disappointed with his caliber? Are you also disappointed with the likes of Mulongoti, Mpombo and Nawakwi? You are in the wrong camp. Join PF, you have the right tribe tag. All you need now is to have Sata endorse you and you will be home and dry.
Why did you attend the meeting and whislt their pretended that you are part of them mambala waka nthu ufisanji????
I think Elias Chipimo has given a very sober and sound advice to all parties. Going in a union blindly without a roadmap is what I would call short sightedness and lack of leadership. I am quite surprised why there are no positive comments to commend this. Maybe this just describes our shallowness as a nation.
Kanshi umwaice uyu alikwata amano. walasa mwaice. this is progressive thinking by the young Man. i hope the likes of Bwalya and Mulongoti will pick a thing or two. they are just political babies in Diapers but look at what they are talking about. TRASHH
I have been following the news and so far there are only three leaders and parties that I have seen that are wise and look at things on the macro level compared to others who attack people and have a strong hatred for the current government. The three parties that I am referring to are Mr Chipimo’s , Ms Nawakwi’s and General Miyanda’s party. They acknowledge the right things being done and say their opinions on what can be improved. Hatred loses but wisdom, love and understanding always wins and I think Zambians are now smarter than they were in 1991 so politics of hatred are no longer workable. Building and repairing takes time and is a lot harder than destroying. Mr. Chipimo Jr, you are one of the youngest leaders but you are very wise unlike some who are older but non-wiser. Thanks
that includes your ugly self among the unwise
Alliances or eliases cant work in Zambia. Let each party does its best and let there be simple majority so that there are no any alliances based on the 50+1 % since no party wants an alliance.
Peace and Prosperity to Mother Zambia.
M Chipimo is the least qualified candidate. He is rumoured to have had homosexual relations at some point in his life. Everybody in his circle knows that, ask them.
Those who are calling Chipimo names must know that you are also called names by others. This is not time to divert from the real issues the young man is talking about. Because of people like Zoockist this country as remained undeveloped. We should learn to appreciate when someone says something sensible. Even if the person is not your political favorite. Its called being a human being. Well done Mr Chipimo. Dont be discouraged by haters.
I see nothing wrong with forming an alliance. In fact, for me it is the right time because PF is busy destroying the country and corruption is rampant in the govt. Yes, i do understand Mr Chipomo’s point of view but i feel that there is more to it than what he is talking about. Lets just face the fact that the man is scared of the politicians who are in the alliance- the likes of Mumba and Mulogonti. I know u like Chipimo but please don’t be biased.
That is the only problem because you are lashing to be the president. You are very young. Look what is happening kuli ba SATA now, the man is totaly confused.
Unite is very important you can talk all thise nonses when you meet your friends. Those who are supporting you are fooling you.
Give change kuli ba Gen. Miyanda
Pact with no majority followers.ABZ,PPP,MMD’s Patawako Pwete Pwete Patani,who else I think this is vengeance & bitter to see PF form govt.The likes of ci Frank Bwalya headless fella.Go back to monastery.Mulongoti no followers with him.Nevers betryer like all time & MMD members true blue re watching!