LET’S UNITE BEHIND KALABA
…Zambia needs trusted, tested leadership, says Mawere
By Mast Reporter
CITIZEN First (CF) president Harry Kalaba possesses the leadership qualities required to transform Zambia into a prosperous nation, Exodus Party for Peace and Prosperity (EPPP) president Moses Mawere has said.
Mawere has withdrawn from the August 13 presidential race and thrown his support behind the CF Orange Alliance led by Kalaba in a move aimed at strengthening opposition unity ahead of this year’s general election.
Speaking when he featured on the EMV podcast on Thursday, Mawere said the time for experimenting with leadership was over and that Zambians should rally behind a trusted and tested leader capable of turning around the country’s fortunes.
“My brother Harry Kalaba was foreign affairs minister and that position is very important because it brings a lot to a country like Zambia. Someone who has been exposed to that level finds it easier to understand the governance system of the country and govern in a manner that benefits the Zambian people,” he said.
Mawere urged opposition political parties and citizens to support CF, saying the party was in good standing with both the Registrar of Societies and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
“There are a lot of uncertainties in other circles and, as a party that wants to follow the law, we would not want to find ourselves in such a situation. This decision is well thought out and we will never go back because we have interacted with almost all opposition political parties and we know where they stand and what they are capable of doing,” he said.
Mawere appealed to opposition leaders who had already paid the K100,000 presidential nomination fee not to insist on refunds but instead unite behind one candidate capable of addressing the high cost of living and poverty levels.
“Maybe my appeal is that, yes, a number of us have paid the K100,000, but let’s not ask for a refund. Instead, let’s rally behind one leadership to deliver this country from the yoke of the high cost of living and poverty,” he said.
Mawere advised opposition leaders to introspect and determine whether they were capable of delivering the change Zambians were yearning for if they chose to contest separately.
“I want to encourage my brothers and sisters in other opposition political parties to search within themselves and see whether going it alone will yield the desired results. If they can succeed, well and good. But if not, they can easily join hands with us,” he said.
Mawere said his decision to support Kalaba’s candidature was unconditional and made purely in the national interest and for the benefit of Zambians.
Earlier on Thursday, Mawere said the decision to endorse Kalaba followed extensive consultations within the EPPP and reflected growing calls from citizens for opposition parties to unite and provide alternative leadership for the country.
“The message from the Zambian people ahead of this year’s general election has been unmistakable: the time for unity among opposition political parties is now. We are proud to announce our decision to fully support the Citizen First Orange Alliance because we believe President Harry Kalaba embodies the courageous, principled and people-driven leadership Zambia urgently needs,” Mawere said.
He said the EPPP’s endorsement of Kalaba was anchored on a shared vision for national renewal, economic recovery, good governance and restoring hope among ordinary citizens.
Mawere also called on progressive political parties, civil society organisations and citizens to rise above divisions and rally behind the Orange Alliance in order to build a united front capable of delivering meaningful change.
He said the alliance would help secure a peaceful, prosperous and accountable future for the country.
Mawere had already paid the K100,000 presidential nomination fee before deciding to withdraw from the presidential race in support of Kalaba.
