Tonse Alliance secretary general Dr Chris Zumani Zimba has taken the unusual step of publicly defying elements within his own coalition, insisting he will not be pressured into abandoning his calls for dialogue with President-elect Hakainde Hichilema’s government.
Speaking to The Mast, Zimba said he was aware some Tonse Alliance stalwarts had sidelined him over his stance, but remained unmoved.
“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.
Zimba, a former aide for political affairs to the late President Edgar Lungu, said he rejected what he called the hardline school within the alliance that favours continuous court petitions and confrontation with government.
His reasoning is rooted in what he describes as the human toll of the post-election period. He cited reported detentions, citizens forced into hiding, and the death of former minister Mutotwe Kafwaya as evidence that Zambia can ill afford further political tension.
“Zambia is bleeding and divided. What we need now is political healing, not more political tensions,” he said.
Perhaps most striking is his call for continued restraint at the very top of the political divide. Zimba said further confrontation between President Hichilema and Tonse Alliance leader Brian Mundubile would serve no one, urging both men to prioritise the country’s peace and stability.
That appeal lands at an especially sensitive moment. Mundubile was charged with treason days ago and is now being held at Mukobeko Maximum Security Facility in Kabwe, alongside 17 others, on a charge that carries no provision for bail.
Despite the tension this creates within his own party, Zimba was unequivocal about where he stands. “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,” he said.
He described his position as grounded in his professional background as a political scientist and post-election conflict expert, as well as his identity as “a Christian and patriot.”
Zimba’s comments come as religious leaders, including Bishop Joseph Kazhila, have separately urged Zambians to reject confrontational politics ahead of tomorrow’s presidential inauguration, adding to a chorus of voices calling for calm during one of the most tense periods in the country’s recent political history.
The sober-minded political professional is completely off the mark, very hungry for power and a learner in politics. Dialogue on what? Let those who are alledged to have committed crimes be tried. We have been having elections since the 1960’s and the pattern and the constitutional provision is the the winner forms government. There are no negotiations for government positions. Otherwise why should I waste my vote if after I vote there are negotiations? In other countries candidates can lose with their tens in millions, still they are out, no dialogue. HH lost by less than 200,000 votes in 2016, no dialogue. Where is this dialogue nonsense coming from? Hunger not to wait 5 years?
This boy is now desperate and scared. He is not even a tested politician but a mere chancer. He is now looking to eat with UPND. They too must be very careful. Wherever this boy is there is chaos. PF is crying NPRUP is crying. UPND be careful. This chap has bad omen…Kali na minyama ka guy aka. How can he be a grounded Political Scientist when he can’t even understand what the law says about forming government. Passing an exam doesn’t mean knowledge acquisition. Moreso he got his PHD in an era of outsourcing writers and leakages….who knows. He has already forgotten how much he was insulting HH and the UPND. Welcome to reality bwana. Brace for another 5 years.
Chris Zumani Zimba should start dialoguing with his own Tonse Alliance leading lights first. If they won’t even talk to Zumani Zimba, how can they possibly talk to HH? The other issue is that Zumani Zimba is calling for dialogue through the media. He should make an effort to meet his own Tonse Alliance leadership and try to persuade them.