Democracy under serious threat, warns Silumbe
By George Zulu
DEMOCRACY is under serious threat in Zambia ahead of next year’s general elections, Leadership Movement (LM) president Dr Richard Silumbe has said.
In an interview, Dr Silumbe said Zambia’s democracy was under siege and it was high time patriotic Zambians stood up to stop the destruction of the multiparty system.
“Very few people can see what this government is scheming against democracy. These guys in government want to turn Zambia into a one-party state. No wonder they want to rush amendments to the Constitution,” he said.
Dr Silumbe said Zambia had lost freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of worship and freedom of association as seen in the manner police dispersed people praying at the OYDC in Lusaka on the eve of the independence celebrations last month.
Dr Silumbe said what was troubling was the silence of the church where the current leaders are senior members.
“We had expected that they would sit him down and advise him as a church member and an elder in their church to pay much attention to the cries of the people of Zambia. But it looks troubling and frightening. It is like they have also endorsed his activities to turn Zambia into a one-party state. They seem not troubled nor bothered as long as it is being done by their member,” he said.
And Dr Silumbe has said the rush to amend the Constitution by President Hakainde Hichilema’s government was very suspicious.
He said the terms of reference for the technical committee were undemocratic and deceptive because they lacked inclusivity.
“This is a sham of the process. This is criminal. They want to intimidate anyone and everyone speaking. If we allow this process to pass in the manner these guys want, more Zambians will go to prison,” Dr Silumbe said.
He urged Zambians to reject what he described as a criminal constitutional cartel established to legalise criminal conduct ahead of next year’s elections.
“The time is now. We need to stop these illegal assemblies going on in provinces. Zambians, let’s unite and reject this process. We are being led into a trap by these guys in government. Open your eyes and say ‘no’ to this kind of dishonesty. Why should we sell our freedom in this fashion?” he wondered.
Meanwhile, Dr Silumbe says the violence that took place in Tanzania after the elections was unfortunate in a country that had chosen democracy.
He said democracy called for respect of divergent views.
“… this is why everyone should be free to participate without intimidation or suppression of other leaders. Respect for divergent views is critical in a democracy, and not the way it is happening in my country,” Dr Silumbe said.
Dr Silumbe urged leaders in Zambia to learn from events in neighboring countries, warning against being selfish and arrogant.
