LAWLESSNESS (EDITORIAL COMMENT FOR FRIDAY 31ST OCTOBER 2014) “It will be chaotic for the PF to continue on a violent path after the death of president Michael Sata,” warns Emmanuel Chenda, the Patriotic Front’s treasurer. “We must now define our relationships within PF with positive things that are going to deliver to the people of Zambia.” There is really no need for anyone in the Patriotic Front to resort to violence or any other undemocratic political practices. We all appreciate that there is a vacancy to be filled as a result of the death of comrade president Sata. And it is the democratic right of all who qualify to contest elections for this position and are willing to offer themselves to do so. No unnecessary hindrances should be placed in anyone’s way. Let the best of the members of the Patriotic Front, let the most trusted succeed Michael. And let everything be done in the most decent, fair, just and humane way. Competition for a political position is not wrong. Power is always contested. This should not be seen as a fight for survival but a competition to serve. If this approach is taken, we will not witness wrangling, bickering and power struggling that may leave the public dismayed and disheartened. Let the campaigns for succession be carried out in a peaceful and honest way, devoid of any violence and slander of others. Let all those who wish to step into the vacancy left by Michael be guided by the truth, integrity and justice. It is also important to remind ourselves of the noble goals of political leadership. Good politics aims at the promotion of the common good and the service of all people; it is for the good of people and the country, and not for the political survival of any individual or group. To achieve this, there is need to abide by the rule of law. We know there are those who want to get into positions of power very quickly and at any cost. Some of them are even ready to use any means necessary, including violence. This is not the way to conduct democratic politics. This is Stone Age politics, which should have no place in today’s Zambia. We have a Constitution for the Republic, and that should guide the succession process. And so far, the Law Association of Zambia has correctly interpreted the Constitution insofar as the issue of the acting president is concerned. The Vice-President of the Republic at the time of the President’s death takes over. We know that there are elements within the Patriotic Front who feel their plan has been thwarted by this interpretation and are not happy about it. They thought with Edgar Lungu left to act as President of the Republic, their succession plan was sealed. And today, they seem to be in disarray, confused, frustrated and disgruntled. They seem to be ready to resort to unlawful means to frustrate acting President Dr Guy Scott’s exercise of the presidential powers vested in him. They are also frustrated by the fact that what they thought was a done deal over their total control of the Patriotic Front today hangs in the balance because Dr Scott is also the president, the supreme leader, of the party. And actually, as party president, Dr Scott has more powers to change things than he has as acting President of the Republic. This seems to be causing them sleepless nights. But this shouldn’t drive them to anarchy, to treason. If they want to succeed Michael, let them canvass for that in a peaceful and lawful manner. Trying to manipulate things to suit their desires will badly backfire. Let them try to fit their desires within the constitutional framework of the Republic and of their party. Trying to twist things, modify things or improvise to ensure the success of their political agenda will cause more damage to themselves, their party and the country. Let them do things the right way and adhere at all times to the Constitution of the Republic and to the constitution of the Patriotic Front. They should always remember that the rock upon which a democratic government rests is its constitution - the formal statement of its fundamental obligations, limitations, procedures and institutions. The Constitution of our country is the supreme law of the land, and all citizens, including themselves, are subject to its provisions. If politicians and their supporters choose to become lawless and arbitrary, the citizens of this country have the right and duty to deal with them firmly. Any politician worth the name must have the maintenance of law and order uppermost in his mind. We should all defend the Constitution of our Republic. And those in political parties should defend the constitutions of their political parties. We must hold on to some values and norms, some expectations and aspirations. We must be more and more tolerant of each other. This is the environment, the atmosphere, that makes democracy work. The fundamental value we must all have is a respect for diversity and acceptance of pluralism even within the same political party. Gone are the days when everyone was supposed to think the same way, support the same candidate. A real democracy has to be built on the basis of justice and moral values and has to look to the common good.
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 12:00:01 +0000
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