Patriotic Front Deputy spokesperson Frank Bwalya has charged that the use of teargas by police to smoke out Mr. Hichilema was the only option available and that the action was justified.

He said there was nothing else police could do to fish out an individual who hid himself in a bunker from 21:00 on Monday to 11: 00 on Tuesday other than the use of teargas to get him out.

Mr. Bwalya said allegations of human rights abuse by the police leading to the arrest of Mr. Hichilema did not suffice because he instigated the throwing of teargas in his house for failing to turn himself up to the police which ended up affecting his family as well.

He said there was no way the police could have entered into the bunker because they did not know what type of weapons he had while hiding there, adding that Mr. Hichilema never had problems with the police in his previous arrests since he turned himself up each time he was summoned but that his failure to do so on this occasion complicated matters.

“What else did people expect the police to do other than break into his house and smoke him out of the bunker in which he was hiding? The issue of human rights abuse by police does not arise here because Mr. Hichilema himself put his family at risk by refusing to cooperate with them when they went there to arrest him. Had he complied, there would have been no problem at all.

“This is not the first time that Mr. Hichilema has been arrested and all these years he has been cooperating with the police. Each time he was summoned, he availed himself. What was different this time that he decided to hide? The police should not be blamed for doing what was right according to the dictates of the situation at hand. No one can dare enter the bunker when you don’t know what sort of weapons the one inside has,” Mr. Bwalya said. While in the banker, Mr. Hichilema is believed to have been communicating with his family members as attested by his wife, Mutinta, who said she advised him not to go outside, fearing that the police would kill him.

Narrating the ordeal the following day, Mrs. Hichilema said police questioned her and the workers, demanding to know where Mr. Hichilema was.

“Police didn’t know where HH was. They beat up all the workers and arrested them and then they started torturing one worker (or son, I cannot remember) who ended up bringing the cops to the bunker entrance. What happened is that they just wanted to kill my husband.

“At first, the workers didn’t want to say but one of them brought them to our room there. They started beating him and the boy was crying. HH then told me ‘my friend, let me go out because these people are going to kill my workers’ but I said ‘you are not going out [because] it’s you they want. Why do they want to pick you up at 22:00 hours?’’ Ms. Hichilema narrated after her husband’s arrest.

According to sources within the police, a secrete bunker in which UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema barricaded himself was the target of the teargas which police threw to smoke him out after he refused to turn himself up to them.

Officers arrived at Mr. Hichilema’s house in New Kasama around 21:00 on Monday last week and asked Mr. Hichilema to come out but that the opposition leader refused, forcing the police to break the gate and storm the building.

When they entered the house, they only found his family and workers as Mr Hichilema hid himself and that in order to force him out, officers threw teargas canisters, aiming at the bunker but that he opted to remain in the bunker until 11:00 hours the following day, even when his family was choked by teargas.

By Sakwiba Sikota SC

The Lusaka Times has reported  in a statement released by party Spokesman Charles Kakoma, the United Party for National Development is requesting that Scotland Yard or any other reputable organisation investigate the chemicals that were used to teargas Mr Hichilema’s home, bedroom and safe room.

Spokesman Kakoma said Mr Hichilema’s condition is deteriorating and must be investigated immediately. Mr Hichilema is held at Lilayi Police Training Camp on treason charges.

Mrs. Mutinta Hichilema said she found her husband in a worse condition than he was before the raid at their home.

Mr Kakoma agreed with her and said “As UPND, we demand that Mr Hichilema should be subjected to rigorous medical tests and treatment by independent doctors who are free from government interference. We also wish to request the international community and human rights organisations to intervene in this matter. In particular, we wish to ask Scotland Yard of the United Kingdom or any other reputable organisation to investigate the chemicals that were used to teargas Mr Hichilema’s bedroom,” he said.

Zambia is recently very much in the news since the raid. One wonders whether with all the Syria, Afghanistan and North Korea in Donald Trump’s focus, he has had time to pay attention to the Zambian drama.

We have,however, heard that President Trump is close to Mr. Hichilema and the two mega businessmen have a lot in common and probably think alike.

Opposition UPND President Hakainde Hichilema has claimed that he is talking to US President Donald Trump. Mr. Hichilema said, “I would not want to disclose so much but just know that we are talking to President Trump. Once he has settled down, he will deal with all these African dictators who are abusing human rights,.” Mr. Hichilema said this when he was addressing a media briefing at his residence in Lusaka on Monday, 3rd April 2017.

The UPND are sure that the State Police used some illegal toxic dangerous poisonous chemicals which they sprayed all over Hichilema’s home when they raided it and smoked him out of hiding and arrested him.

It is this clearly very toxic and dangerous illegal poisonous chemical which has affected Hichilema so quickly and severely.

This is why they are making the strong case for the international community to call for Hichilema to be examined by Scotland Yard and other experts like those who looked at the Syrian use of poisonous gas to examine Hichilema.

As Holy Week was approaching, in the last fortnight, the United States launched fifty-nine cruise missiles at a Syrian airfield because President Trump was morally repulsed and indignant at the use of poison gas by Syria.

Trump maintains that the gas was deployed intentionally by President Assad on his own citizens. An act so repellant and so against international moral norms that the civilized world and the United States had to use its force.

Whatever was sprayed at Hichilema’s home was exposed to all the occupants like the workers, his wife, and children who were with him when he was gassed by the poisonous illegal chemicals that have affected him so severely.

His wife even fainted twice and so she was more exposed to the gas than he was.

What made matters worse is that one of his children who was exposed to the gas is even asthmatic and therefore more affected by the gas than him.

What made Hakainde’s close friend Donald Trump to decide to bomb Syria is when he saw pictures of the women and children affected by the poisonous illegal gas.

It is not that HH’s workers’ wife and children are immune to the poisonous illegal chemical gas that has so severely affected Hichilema that we are not being bombed like Syria.

The only reason we have not been bombed by the United States President who is Hakainde’s very good friend, and probably the last person Trump tweets each night or early morning, is because UPND have shown great restraint and not exposed all those people affected by the potent poisonous gas that must have equally affected all those around HH in the same way it has devastated him.

I pray that Kakoma and the UPND continue to show this restraint and do not show Trump pictures of HH’s children.

The Democratic Alliance, South Africa’s largest opposition party has urged the South African government to ensure the safety of incarcerated Zambian opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema.

In a series of tweet on his official Twitter account, DA Leader Mmusi Maimane said the Mr Hichilema must be released immediately.

Mr Maimane said Mr Hichilema’s arrest and treason charge is undemocratic and that South Africa must act now.

He said the arrest of Mr Hichilema must be condemned as that, “as South Africa we must do everything to defend democracy in the region. Release HH.”

And DA Spokesman on international relations and cooperation Stevens Mokgalapa and Shadow Minister of International Relations and Co-operation said this follows a raid on Mr Hichilema last week‚ where an unknown gas was allegedly released before Hichilema was arrested by Zambian police.

“The DA calls on the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation‚ Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane‚ to engage with the Zambian government over this very concerning situation,” said Mr Mokgalapa said in a statement.

“Importantly‚ the Minister should urge that Zambian government to give access to independent medical personnel to assess Hichilema’s health and to ensure that his human rights are being upheld‚” he said.

He said the DA condemned all actions which would seek to disrespect due process and the rule of law.

“The arbitrary arrest of political opponents in Zambia is deeply concerning in a constitutional democracy such as Zambia. Moreover‚ the grave human rights concerns that are associated with this arrest are condemnable.”

“If the ANC-led government is still committed to a human rights based foreign policy‚ which they should be‚ then the Minister needs to make a statement against these actions‚ and needs to put pressure on her Zambian counterparts to release Mr Hichilema,” he said.

“No country can be truly democratic when opposition parties are not free to challenge government power and to hold those in power accountable. When they face arrest and human rights abuses for such actions then that country is no longer free.”

Mr Mokgalapa said the DA believed South Africa should be leading the charge for the entrenchment of democracy and upholding human rights across the continent and that the DA would continue to pressure government to do so.

Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo has dismissed allegations that incarcerated UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has been denied medical attention following claims that he is unwell.

Responding to query Mrs Katongo said Hichilema had been receiving medical attention from his private doctor since his detention.

Mrs Katongo who rubbished the claims said it was the Constitutional right for anyone in police cells to receive medical attention when they are not well.

She described all the allegations of police denying Hichilema medical attention as a lie.

“It is not true. From time he was detained his private medical doctor has always been allowed to visit him and conduct medical checks on him,” Mrs Katongo said.
“Even when an ordinary person is not well they are taken for medical attention. It is his constitutional right to have medical attention.This is just a lie.”

Below is the full statement released

HAKAINDE HICHIPEMA IS WELL- POLICE, DOCTOR

LUSAKA, 16TH April, 2017- We would like to dispute the statement circulating on social media attributed to UPND Spokesperson Mr Charles Kakoma that the health of Mr Hakainde Hichilema is deteriorating in detention and that police have denied him medical attention.

The truth of the matter is that from the time Mr Hichilema was detained, the police have been allowing Mr Hakainde Hichilema’s personal doctor to visit him and conduct routine medical checks on him.

Statements such as the one attributed to Mr Charles Kakoma are misleading and bent on inciting members of the public and should be dismissed.

We do realise as police that even those people who may be in detention who do not have personal doctors or Lawyers are taken for medical attention in instances where they become unwell whilst in detention because it is their constitutional right.

One wonders why we could deny Mr Hichilema medical attention when he is just a suspect because even people who are convicted have got a right to medical attention.

As police we will not take such unjustified statements lightly because they are aimed at disturbilising the security of the nation.

ESTHER MWAATA KATONGO
ZAMBIA POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

A member of the Barotse Royal Establishment has given an account of what transpired in Mongu during this year’s Kuomboka ceremony which resulted in the arrest of United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema.

Below is the narration from Lubosi Muimu

From Barotseland

I WONDER WHY SOME PEOPLE ARE BLAMING HH OVER THE MONGU FIASCO – BE IN THE KNOW

1. First and foremost, PF started talking of sending over 600 Zambia Police to Mongu after they learnt that United Party for National Development (UPND) HH was going there. They said it was to beef up security. In the 50 years of Zambian Independence, no incident requiring so many cops has ever been required.

2. The BRE informed Government that IT WAS NOT NECESSARY to deploy such police in the area as they were capable of handling security themselves. As usual, Edgar  Chagwa Lungu (ECL) and Kampyongo did NOT listen.

3. HH and Godfrey  Bwalya Mwamba (GBM) were invited guests by the Litunga and BRE just as ECL was invited. Never in my time of going for Kuomboka ceremony did the BRE or Police “close” the entrance to see off the Litunga on account of being late. NEVER. That’s what the Zambia Police did. That was the FIRST sign of intimidation. How and why close entrance to an invited VIP on account that he was late? Who determines lateness – Police or BRE?

4. The distance between Lealui and Limulunga is about 31Km using D557 rout or 44Km using M9 route

5. The guest of honour, ECL was dis-embarked at a small mound as per tradition to allow him proceed BY HELICOPTER to meet the Litunga at Limulunga-Nayuma harbour. This protocol/ tradition was broken. That is because they very well knew that HH and GBM were going by road to Limilunga.

6. As per requirement, the Presidential route is supposed to be deployed with security details AT EVERY CORNER OR JUNCTION, as is the case whenever he is in Lusaka, copperbelt or anywhere else in Zambia. Ironically this did NOT happen. The police had put ECL’s life at risk trying to gamble with a plot they had hatched (And that was to frustrate HH and GBM at ALL costs and by ANY MEANS NECESSARY).

7. A timetable was given to the VIP guests (ECL and HH) to show what time they were expected at Nayuma Harbour. The ECL entourage deliberately delayed so that they can confront the HH entourage and see their reaction.

8. Because of LACK OF POLICE DETAILS along the road, it was IMPOSSIBLE for HH to stop when ECL was approaching as there were over 60 vehicles behind him. He only saw ECL the time his convoy reached their area.

9. Police sweepers are supposed to be at least 3-4 minutes ahead of the President in order to clear the road. This CLEARLY did not happen as can be seen in the video. The sweepers were just a few meters ahead of President Lungu. A very dangerous tact to perform.

10. Even if the HH convoy were required to stop, there was NO WAY they could have stopped suddenly as there would have been a car pile-up and live would have been lost. Maybe that is what the police were hoping to achieve. But we can see in the video that HH and his entourage did gradually stop according to the pace that would have protected his entourage from certain catastrophic accident. One sweeper did intentionally try to get HH off the road. Again, a very dangerous move.

11. We know that these PF security and UPND security have got each other’s cell-phone numbers. Why didn’t the ECL team phone the HH team that they were on their way. This non-sense would NOT have happened.

That’s why we can deduce that this move WAS planned by the police to create a situation and blame it on HH.

12. When the ECL team reached Limulunga-Nayuma harbor, barely 10 minutes before HH reached, they again instructed the police not to allow HH and GBM inside on account that he was late. Again, was it not for the organizers to determine who was late or not? Define “being late” as the Litunga had not even arrived at the time. This was not Edgar’s ceremony but Lubosi Imwiko’s ceremony.ECL was just an invited guest as HH. But thankfully, HH and GBM did sneak inside through an inlet with the help of the BRE and positioned himself at the VIP area space. This infuriated ECL. The man was so much in a hurry to embarrass his “friend” that he forgot to write a thanks giving speech as per tradition. I am sure the Litunga and the BRE were insulted. Again, tradition HAD been broken by ECL. Just because HH and his entourage and other dignitaries walked out before he could speak. That was indeed being hit below the belt.

13. And now we are being told that HH will be arrested and “action will be taken in accordance with the State Security Act and other relevant pieces of Legislation” said IG Kanganja in a statement. But first of all, he MUST be able to explain

1. The sudden disappearance of security details along the Mongu-Limulunga road
2. Why sweepers were only a few meters away from ECL instead of the recommended 3-4 minutes ahead in order to “clear the road”.
3. Why HH was being blocked to attend the ceremony at both the Lealui and Limilunga Nayuma Harbours as they were invited by the Litunga and the BRE.

14. This year’s Kuomboka ceremony has been ruined by the Police by way of embarrassment to the Litunga.

FOR THOSE PUNDITS THAT MIGHT BE IN DISPUTE OF ECL BREAKING THE TRADITIONAL PROTOCOLS JUST TO EMBARRASS HH, I HAVE INCLUDED THE BAROTSE ROYAL CEREMONY BY WAY OF ORDER AND ROUTE. THIS HAS BEEN THE NORM FOR GENERATIONS…..

READ ON, BE ENLIGHTENED AND UNDERSTAND!!!

by Lubosi Muimu

THE KUOMBOKA CEREMONY

One of the functions of the Litunga is to exercise his power over the dangers and havens of nature which looms over the Lozi nation. Every year, the Barotse plains are invaded by the floods of higher levels that creep across the villages and pastures, compelling all the inhabitants to move to the plain’s margins, or indeed, in the hilly areas of the forest.

The Kuomboka, which literary means “getting out of the water”, is the central annual ceremony performed by the Lozi people.

The ceremony is performed when the moon is full. This is the prime time the omens are believed to be favourable.

THE FIRST DAY

The first day of the ceremony is characterized by the sight of the maoma, the great royal drums gathered in front of the palace. In the evening, the maoma are thundered, proclaiming the imminent exodus that will free the inhabitants from the anguish imposed on to them by the floods. In actual sense, the sounds serve as the official summons to the royal paddlers to gather at the capital of Lealui.

The first lap of drumbeating is performed by the Litunga, the Natamoyo and any other senior induna. In the absence of the Litunga, the Natamoyo, and any members of the royal family or the indunas will have to be authorized by the Litunga himself.

Ordinary members of the public will then take turns to drum immediately the Litunga disappears into the palace. The Natamoyo will then supervise the phase which is strictly limited to men.

THE SECOND DAY

On the second day, the royal paddlers from all the walks of life take turns to register their presence upon their arrival in Lealui.

The training workshop for the royal paddlers is launched at Nayuma Harbor. The Ngambela flags off the canoeing regatta between the Lealui-Nayuma harbor and the Mulamba Harbor in Mongu.

In the after afternoon, the paddlers assemble in front of the Kuta. The registers are drawn, confirmed, and read out loudly according to the number of and sizes of royal barges to be paddled.

THE THIRD DAY — THE ACTUAL KUOMBOKA DAY

Early in the morning, the Mwenduko drum, otherwise known as Mutango or Ililimufu, is played in the Limbetelo, signaling that all is set for the journey, and that the Litunga will never spend a night in Lealui on this day.

As the sun breaks the sky, the Mwenduko is taken out to the Namoo where it will be leaned against a special pole. The drum this time will face the east — a visible indicator that all is set and the ceremony is about to take its full course.

The paddlers assemble in front of the Kuta once again to receive final instructions. Other paddlers will carry and load the Tuyami into the royal barges.

The guest of honour arrives and is taken to the Kashandi where he will meet the Litunga. Shortly after meeting the guest of honour, the Litunga walks majestically (Kutamboka) with his guest out the palace to the Nayuma Harbour.

As the Litunga reaches the harbour, the Ngambela bids goodbye to the indunas and people who will remain and take care of the village.

The Litunga finally boards the Nalikwanda with (or without) the guest of honour. The Ng’awawa, Mwenduko’ and Mwatota then play the melodius tune called Ifulwa. The tune signals that the journey has started. One of the songs proclaimed by the Nengwawa is Ndandamwalye which describes how the great Nalikwanda was built by cooperative unison of all the people. The second song, Amalabo, praises the royal paddlers for their strength, bravery, and tact.

The Ling’omboti, in white overcoats with white turbans, set their hands on the Nalikwanda pushing dressed it into the deep waters while the Ifulwa plays on.

The Nalikwanda finally sets off, heading towards an open area near the mound called Nengwana. Here, other royal barges will join and will swiftly travel in alternating circles, displaying a very colourful scenery. While at Nengwana, the melody will then switch to Manjabila. This song is played by the Sinkoya Band.

The first melody, Sikota Mutumwa, praises the leader and supervisor of the first royal-canoe makers. The second, Kawabile praises the Litunga. Once it is observed that other paddlers do not paddle in conformity with others, the song suddenly changes to Macabula to alert the languid and unskillful paddlers. The paddlers who fail to catch up will be transferred from the Nalikwanda to other barges. Those who resist are thrown overboard.

The Nalikwanda will travel at least three phases that equally accommodates the drumming of the Maoma as it eventually takes the route for Limulunga. The Maoma are played to allow the paddlers to relax and take time as they dance in pelican style of bowing their heads.

The Nalikwanda will have to port at a smaller mound to allow the guest of honour to disembark and board the awaiting helicopter. The guest of honour will meet the Litunga at Limulunga-Nayuma harbour.

The Silozi band will then take over and play the Lishoma (Mwenduko) up to the place known as Namutikitela where all the royal barges will dock briefly to allow the paddlers to take a meal of meat and Ilya, and to relieve themselves.

The Ifulwa will again play as the Nalikwanda leaves Namutikitela.

The Lishoma will play briefly, followed by the Maoma.

The Sinkoya band then takes over and plays Manjabila up to the first landing at the Limulunga-Nayuma harbor.

The Lishoma will play up to the second landing.

The Maoma will play up to the third and final landing.

Unlike the Sinkoya tunes of Manjabila, Kawabile, and Macabula, the Silozi Band plays Mwenduko, Ifulwa, Lishoma, and Maoma without an accompaniment of music, but with random praises and eulogies that are proclaimed in Siluyana.

As the Nalikwanda docks, men give the royal homage (Kushowelela) while women sing and dance Liimba and Limeka.

The Litunga, clad in the admiral uniform, finally disembarks from the Nalikwanda and greets the guest of honour who has been waiting for him.

The Litunga walks majestically (kutamboka) accompanied by the guest of honour to the royal pavilion.

The paddlers dance the Lishoma in an open space of the Namoo. Shortly after the guest of honour address the public, the Litunga, majestically leaves the royal pavilion and disappears into the Lyangamba, the royal courtyard.

At night, around 10:00 PM, the Maoma drums are sound.

THE FOURTH DAY

04:00 AM The Maoma drums are sound.

06:00 AM The Ngambela, members of the royal family, indunas, and the royal paddlers perform the royal homage.

06:10 AM The Litunga, the members of the royal family, the Ngambela and indunas dance Ngomalume in Namoo.

09:00 AM The citizenry together with the school pupils present variety of song and dance styles.

11:00 AM His Royal Highness, the Litunga arrives in the Kuta. Presentation of songs and dance styles continue.

13:00 PM Lunch Break.

14:00 PM Presentation of variety of performances starts.

15:00 PM The Litunga arrives at Lutatai (the royal pavilion).

16:00 PM Ngomalume, Nalikanda, and Lishoma dances are performed by men.

18:00 PM The Litunga leaves the royal pavilion and gets into the Lyangamba.

18:10 PM The Moyo Imwambo, togeher with other women dances Liwale inside the Lyangamba.

THE FIFTH DAY

06:00 AM Liwale is danced at Namoo.

09:00 AM The citizenry together with the school pupils present variety of song and dance styles.

11:00 AM His Royal Highness, the Litunga arrives in the Kuta. Presentation of songs and dance styles continue.

13:00 PM Lunch Break.

14:00 PM Presentation of variety of performances starts.

15:00 PM The Litunga arrives at Lutatai (the royal pavilion).

16:00 PM Liwale, Silenga, and Lishoma dances are performed by women.

18:00 PM The Litunga leaves the royal pavilion and gets into the Lyangamba.

The performance and weaving of various paddling styles, dances, songs, colourful scenes, dressing styles, cultural and traditional homage and multitude of tourists perch the Kuomboka Ceremony in the top-list of the water festivals performed the world over.

As the Nalikwanda finally ports at Limulunga-Nayuma Harbor, and His Royal Highness, the Litunga ascends and tread majestically to the Lutatai, many spectators feel and wish the ceremony could be repeated sooner than later. Sadly, however, it will take a year for them to witness another Kuomboka Ceremony. And to this effect, many pronounce openly that they will never miss any Kuomboka Ceremony.

Contact us

Rt Hon Mwangelwa

Clerk of the Executive Council

barotseland.government@gmail.com

Veteran Politician Vernon Mwaanga has said that it is is evident and beyond dispute that totalitarian regimes around the world have always used the charge of treason to punish and silence dissent and those with opposing views in their respective countries , because of its lethal non-bailable nature, which keeps their opponents locked up in deplorable and inhuman conditions.

In a statement released to the media and commenting on the treason charge slapped on opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema, Dr Mwaanga said that the arrest of UPND President Hakainde Hichilema and some of his supporters on charges of treason, is deeply disturbing, coming as it does, at a time when our christian nation is marking the holy week.

Below is the full statement

The arrest of UPND President Hakainde Hichilema and some of his supporters on charges of treason, is deeply disturbing, coming as it does, at a time when our christian nation is marking the holy week.

Am not directly privy to what may or may not have happened in Mongu during the Kuomboka traditional ceremony , apart from the conflicting and contradictory accounts I have read and seen in the state, private and social media. What is evident and beyond dispute is that totalitarian regimes around the world have always used the charge of treason to punish and silence dissent and those with opposing views in their respective countries , because of its lethal non-bailable nature, which keeps their opponents locked up in deplorable and inhuman conditions.

For a very long time now, i have been calling for unconditional dialogue among our political leaders , where all issues and grievances should be discussed . Experience all over the world has proved beyond any doubt that when there is dialogue among political leaders, it helps lower tensions and creates building blocks for much needed durable peace .

The culture of bashing each other in the media day in and day out , just to please supporters, has grave consequences for peace . The peace our country was credited for in the past did not come about by accident . My generation had to work for it and even went out of way to make compromises for the sake of peace in our country.

The greatness of countries does not depend on who controls the instruments of violence and the power to teach lessons and to whom and for what reason. Great nations look at the bigger picture and go out of their way to find lasting solutions to their problems . It would be folly for anyone to pretend that we have not had internal tensions in our country , which have been palpable since the disputed presidential elections of august,2016, heightened by the deplorable manner in which the constitutional court handled the presidential election petition brought by UPND President Hakainde Hichilema and his running mate Geofrey Mwamba . The effects of that debacle will continue to haunt our country for a long time .

What we don’t need now is yet more tension and animosity, which has the potential to divide our already divided country even more, at a time when our people are struggling to put food on their dinner tables and young people struggling with little or no success to find jobs .

Zambia is part of the global village and what happens in our country is of immense interest to the region , africa and the world. That is why any threats to peace and security anywhere , is a threat to peace and security everywhere. It is also the reason why the united nations, the african union and SADC have institutions and mechanisms to monitor potential flush points around the world and to undertake preventive diplomacy and other measures to preserve international peace and security. It is also for this reason, that institutions such as the world bank, IMF, EU, and bilateral aid countries, measure governance and human rights issues as a yardstick for disbursing their loan facilities or grants.

What we need in our country is to build a just and fair society for all our people , by creating better opportunities and work together to grow our sluggish economy, so that we create jobs for our people, particularly young people who continue to carry the scars of despair and frustration on their faces. This requires enlightened leadership all round, which is capable of putting zambia first . The failure to have meaningful political dialogue will ultimately benefit no one and disadvantage everyone . In politics, there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies. No one knows what tomorrow holds and over the years, it had the capacity to produce the unexpected . I also hope that our two former Presidents and respected statesmen Dr Kenneth Katundu and Mr Rupiah Banda , can play an important role in bringing our political leaders together for purposes of having constructive dialogue.