Political opportunists want PF-UPND pact to fail – Chanda
By Staff Reporter
Copperbelt PF youth say it is only political opportunists who are doubting the peace pact between the ruling party and the opposition United Parťy for National Development.
PF provincial youth chairperson Nathan Chanda, stated in a press release that the ruling party youths on the Copperbelt have welcomed the peace pact aimed at ending political violence, which was signed by the two parties in Lusaka on Tuesday.
“On behalf of PF youths on the Copperbelt, I wish to put on record that we welcome the peace pact that was signed in Lusaka between the PF and the Opposition UPND to end political violence,” Chanda stated. “The peace pact is a clear indication of the commitment which the two political parties have shown. Political violence should not be entertained in our province and country, especially among the youths.”
He stated that youths should be a productive tool for national development.
“As youths on the Copperbelt we will continue to adhere to the directive by the Republican President Mr Edgar Lungu to stay away from any form of violence or any misconduct. The youths on the Copperbelt will not be involved in political violence. We want to commend the leadership of our National Youth Chairman Honorable Steven Kampyongo and that of the UPND for showing leadership,” Chanda pledged. “However, we are concerned that some political opportunists have already doubted the peace pact. To every challenge, there is a way to find solutions. As PF Copperbelt youths, we want to encourage our fellow youths from PF and the UPND to focus on this peace pact. We know and have information that some from opposition political parties want to see this peace pact fail by all means.”
Chanda, who is Luanshya mayor, alleged that there were some who were not happy with the PF-UPND pact.
“Now they want to use other youths to provoke us in many ways so that they can get attention and cheap political capital from the general public by using innocent youths, also including use of abusive messages on social media.
With this effect as Copper belt PF Provincial Youth Executive starting from next mont, we will be going around the province to talk to all our PF youths from wards, constituencies and Districts on the copper belt province on the need to uphold the resolutions of the peace treaty which was signed on behalf of the party by our National Youth Chairperson,” stated Chanda. “The PF youths on the Copperbelt wants to assure the Republican President and the Zambian people that no form of political violence will be entertained on the Province. As PF youths we need to co-exist and contribute to national development regardless of political affiliation.”
It is not the first time the PF and UPND are entering into a pact for political reasons. In the runner up to the crucial 2011 general elections, the two opposition parties entered into an electoral pact meant to unseat the then ruling MMD of Rupiah Banda.
However, this pact failed on the basis of who was to be the presidential candidate between Michael Sata and Hakainde Hichilema.
