Time to resolve PF/UPND Pact leadership

The results of the last two bye-elections in Milanzi and Mufumbwe have clearly demonstrated why the opposition need to approach the 2011 general elections with a little be more creativity.

Had PF fielded a candidate in Mufumbwe, the ruling MMD would have carried the day. By the same token, the opposition would have won the contest in Milanzi had they rallied behind a single candidate. UNIP basically spoiled the race for PF. Perhaps it is time to welcome UNIP in the pact and ensure that the MMD fights a united front all the time.

I have always supported the pact and agreed to the decision to kick the leadership issue into the long grass when the alliance was announced. However, the time has now come for the leadership of the pact to be ironed out. In particular, the pact needs to resolve who its presidential candidate is going to be in the next general election. Time is running out and the constant rumours that RB is going to go for an early election makes this issue even more pressing. My personal opinion is that Sata should lead the pact for now and stand against RB as he is best placed to win the election. HH should then serve in Sata’s cabinet to gain some valuable government experience with the view to lead the pact after Sata retires. I am not a fan of Sata but sometimes one has swallow personal pride and principles for the good of the country.

The PANEL

PF and UPND agree to work together

The POST is reporting this morning that the Patriotic Front (PF) and United Party for National Development (UPND) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at dislodging the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) from power. This is a very positive move from the two political parties and has a fair chance of succeeding because it is being made way ahead of the next elections. PF and UPND have a chance to know each other better and build trust in the relationship.

The two parties stated that they had therefore started a long and difficult march in the same direction, not as one organisation but as two giants in Zambian politics."We do hereby commit ourselves to the following: (1) our parties will work together at all levels on all matters of national importance; (2) our parties will jointly provide more effective checks and balances on Rupiah Banda's corrupt MMD administration with immediate effect; (3) we will provide an effective, formidable and unbeatable electoral challenge to the corrupt MMD in all elections and we demand early Presidential and Parliamentary elections," read the communiqué in part. "We will lay the groundwork for an effective, accountable, efficient and pro-poor government to replace this most notorious, scandalous and corrupt MMD regime."

The MoU highlights the focuses on the areas the parties agree on such as not criticising each other in public and presenting a united front when attacking the MMD. However, they have kicked the decision on whether they would field a single candidate in the next general election in the long grass.

The PANEL.