Ceasefire now, Tonse Alliance leaders urged
By George Zulu
OPPOSITION Tonse Alliance vice chairman Professor Dan Pule has urged the coalition’s leaders to stop the infighting with immediate effect.
In a reconciliatory message on behalf of Tonse Alliance chairman former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu yesterday, Prof Pule urged all the leaders in the coalition to immediately stop squabbling and remain united.
He said the wrangles were worrying, especially that Zambians had vested hope in the alliance.
Prof Pule attributed the wrangles and the emerging cracks to the absence of leadership.
“In view of the recent ‘family differences’ that have been taking place in the alliance, largely due to the absence of both the chairman and myself as vice chairman, l had the opportunity to engage the chairman last evening, and he guided as follows: There should be no attempt to amend the Tonse Alliance’s constitution before the chairman returns to Zambia,” he said.
Prof Pule said Lungu had directed that no member of the alliance should be removed or suspended from their position.
“No member of the Tonse Alliance should be removed or suspended from their positions before the chairman returns to Zambia. Specifically, Dr Chris Zumani Zimba has not been removed or suspended from his position. His status in the Tonse Alliance remains unchanged,” he said.
Prof Pule said Lungu had reminded the Tonse Alliance council of leaders that Zambians were looking to them for a leadership that would address the challenges the country was facing.
He said Tonse Alliance’s main focus and objective was to win the 2026 general election, which could only be achieved if the opposition coalition remained strong, focused and open to the people of Zambia.
“Tonse Alliance should remain united and focused on our main objective of bringing change to Zambia by winning the 2026 general and presidential elections. To demonstrate unity, there should be no parallel communication platforms established, as this may promote factionalism and confusion,” Prof Pule said.
“Specifically, there should be only one Alliance leadership WhatsApp group and all members of the council of leaders must revert to the original WhatsApp group,” he directed.
Cracks and wrangles have emerged within the Tonse Alliance, with members of the council of leaders accusing one another of scheming to take over its leadership by expelling others.
