Dr Chris Zumani Zimba Breaks Ranks, Calls for Dialogue and Government of National Unity

Tonse Alliance secretary general Dr Chris Zumani Zimba has dared critics within his own coalition to label him a betrayer over his calls for dialogue between the opposition alliance and President-elect Hakainde Hichilema’s United Party for National Development government. Zimba…

Tonse Alliance secretary general Dr Chris Zumani Zimba has dared critics within his own coalition to label him a betrayer over his calls for dialogue between the opposition alliance and President-elect Hakainde Hichilema’s United Party for National Development government.

Zimba is reported to have been sidelined by some Tonse Alliance stalwarts amid concerns over his position on the fractious post-election events that have left one former minister dead and several others detained.

“If this is betrayal in the eyes of political hardliners and extremists, then let it be. I’m sober-minded and politically professional. I cannot dance to the views of radical politicians,” he said in an exclusive interview with The Mast.

Zimba said he would not be swayed by radical elements within the opposition alliance.

He argued that Zambia was bleeding and divided, and urgently needed political healing instead of more confrontation.

The former aide for political affairs to late former president Edgar Lungu said he did not support what he termed the hardline school within the Tonse Alliance that was pushing for court petitions and continuous political fights.

“I do not agree with the continuous fights through court petitions or any confrontational approach. Zambia is bleeding and divided. What we need now is political healing, not more political tensions,” he said.

Zimba said his position was informed by his background as a political scientist and post-election conflict expert, as well as by the human cost of the political crisis, including reported detentions, citizens forced into hiding and the death of former minister Mutotwe Kafwaya.

“It’s a position I hold firmly as Tonse Alliance secretary general. I know how many people have been reported detained for political reasons, how many are said to be in hiding both at home and abroad, and we have also lost people, like our dear brother Hon Mutotwe Kafwaya,” he said.

While he disputed the credibility of the recent elections, Zimba said further confrontation between President Hichilema and Tonse Alliance leader Brian Mundubile was not in the national interest.

“I firmly believe that any further political confrontation between HH of UPND and BM of Tonse Alliance is not good for anyone if we are to preserve the country’s peace, stability and national unity,” he said.

Zimba said his conviction was to pursue dialogue and national unity, describing himself as a Christian and patriot.

“Because we all belong to one country,” he said.

“I am proud of my position of calling for a political ceasefire, dialogue, reconciliation and a government of national unity between UPND and the Tonse Alliance,” Zimba said.

His comments come just days after Mundubile, the Tonse Alliance’s presidential candidate, was charged with treason alongside 17 others and transferred to Mukobeko Maximum Security Facility in Kabwe.

The timing places Zimba in a delicate position within his own coalition, appealing for reconciliation with a government that has just detained his party’s leader on a non-bailable charge.

His remarks nonetheless echo calls from other quarters for calm. Life Gospel Ministries International overseer Bishop Joseph Kazhila has separately urged Zambians to embrace dialogue and reject a “do or die” approach to politics ahead of tomorrow’s presidential inauguration.

Zimba did not name the specific individuals within Tonse Alliance he accused of sidelining him, nor did he detail what a proposed government of national unity would look like in practice.

The Tonse Alliance has not issued a formal response to Zimba’s remarks.