Chabinga on his own, says state
By Tony Nkhoma
GOVERNMENT has only U-turned to issue a statement to disown Mafinga Member of Parliament Robert Chabinga over his careless attacks on the international community because it backfired.
Zambia’s relationship with the international community is headed for the freezer following Chabinga’s careless outburst and attacks on ambassadors and high commissioners accredited to Zambia during a recent press briefing in Lusaka.
But noting the severity of the imminent diplomatic fallout fuelled by Chabinga, government sponsored leader of one faction of the Patriotic Front (PF) and a staunch supporter of President Hakainde Hichilema and the United Party for National Development (UPND) Minister of Foreign Affairs Mulambo Haimbe was yesterday forced to do some damage control.
Haimbe said Chabinga was not part of government’s voice on matters concerning high commissioners and ambassadors accredited to Zambia.
In a statement issued, he said Chabinga’s inflammatory statements and careless attacks on ambassadors and high commissioners had the potential to undermine Zambia’s diplomatic engagements and harm its standing within the global community.
“While Zambia welcomed robust political discourse as part of a healthy democratic environment, it is imperative that all political actors exercise responsibility in their public statements, particularly on matters of foreign relations,” Haimbe said.
He said Chabinga was out of order and had not received authority to speak or act on behalf of the government on diplomatic matters.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation wishes to clearly distance the Government of the Republic of Zambia from the recent attacks on high commissioners and ambassadors accredited to the Republic of Zambia made by Mr Robert Chabinga,” Haimbe said.
Haimbe said the comments Chabinga made on Friday, May 2 had been widely circulated and had raised significant concern.
“The government wishes to make it categorically clear that the views expressed by Chabinga do not reflect the official position, policy or diplomatic posture of the Republic of Zambia,” he said.
Haimbe said Zambia remained a sovereign state fully committed to engaging constructively with development partners, both at bilateral and multilateral levels in accordance with its foreign policy.
He said government appreciated the important role members of the diplomatic community continued to play towards Zambia’s development agenda.
“We remain fully committed to ensuring that the diplomats enjoy privileges and immunities while serving in Zambia and will endeavour to create a conducive environment in which diplomats can carry out their functions without fear, prejudice, or undue interference,” Haimbe said.
Haimbe said no individual or political entity was authorised to speak or act on behalf of the government in diplomatic matters.
At an emotionally charged press conference, Chabinga, who has openly declared his support for Hichilema and has endorsed him for next year’s presidential election, took his political zealotry to a new level by directly threatening diplomats and their families.
