JOIN DRIVERN TAXI AS PARTNER DRIVER TODAY!
The International Institute of Democracy and Conflicts Resolutions has taken a swipe at embattled MMD president Nevers Mumba for shunning a reconciliatory meeting which was held in Lusaka today.
But Dr. Mumba’s Special Assistant and Communications Director, Raphael Nakachinda refuted claims that the MMD president was invited to the reconciliation meeting.
International Institute of Democracy and Conflicts Resolutions president Tresford Chomba said it was regrettable that Dr. Mumba opted to go on a campaign trail in the Copperbelt province despite having been informed of the meeting aimed at reconciling him and MMD presidential candidate Rupiah Banda.
Mr. Chomba told journalists that Dr. Mumba was informed and invited to attend the reconciliatory meeting.
He alleged that Dr. Mumba had agreed to attend the meeting but later decided to shy away.
He expressed disappointment at Dr. Mumba’s behaviour especially that the latter was a clergyman who was supposed to embrace peace.
Mr. Chomba said the institute was concerned with the wrangles that have engulfed political parties hence the move to organize a reconciliation meeting between the rival camps in the MMD party.
He said wrangles which have immersed political parties will end up confusing the electorate if they were left unaddressed.
Mr. Chomba has since urged political parties to cherish and uphold peace as this was cardinal in growing the country’s young democracy.
At the time of the reconciliatory meeting in Lusaka, Dr. Mumba was seen holding a campaign rally in Kitwe on Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, former president Rupiah Banda said there was need to find a lasting solution to the wrangles that have engulfed the former ruling party.
Mr. Banda said peace was important hence the need to solicit for efforts aimed at bringing peace in political parties.
He has since implored the International Institute of Democracy and Conflicts Resolutions to continue promoting dialogue and unity among political parties that were engulfed in internal wrangles.
But Dr. Mumba’s Special Assistant and Communications Director, Raphael Nakachinda refuted claims that the MMD president was invited to the reconciliation meeting.
Mr. Nakachinda said Dr. Mumba was not invited to the meeting neither was he talked to before.
He accused organisers of the meeting of merely doing propaganda for Mr. Banda adding that Dr. Mumba was out of the country and only arrived last night.
He wondered as to who invited Dr. Mumba when he as Special Assistant and Communications Director was not aware of the invitation.
Mr. Nakachinda said the International Institute of Democracy and Conflicts Resolutions should have first talked to Dr. Mumba and Mr. Banda separately before inviting the media to what they called a reconciliatory meeting.
He has since advised individuals and organisations to be serious when dealing with issues of the rule of law and constitution abrogation.
Dr. Mumba is the president of the MMD but some members of the party decided to choose Mr. Banda as the presidential candidate of the former ruling party for the January 20, 2015 presidential by-elections.
