IT IS STANDARD PROCEDURE FOR SADC TO SEND THE ELECTORAL ADVISORY COUNCIL(SEAC) AHEAD OF ANY SADC ELECTION
By Dr Nevers Mumba
SEAC is not coming to Zambia in response to Amb Emmanuel Mwamba’s letter to SADC. They have instead advised Amb Mwamba to take advantage of the presence of SEAC which is coming to Zambia to air his grievances if he has any.
Please let us not distort the responses of such important institutions for political purposes. SEAC visits every SADC country at least six months ahead of a general election. This is the standard procedure.
Below is the response that SADC gave to Amb Mwamba’s letter in which he was accusing President Hakainde Hichilema of electoral practices for an election yet to be held:
In a letter responding to Amb. Mwamba, Ms Onalenna Nthase, Senior Secretary Directorate of the Organ on Politics Defence and Security Affairs, she stated that;
“The SADC Secretariat takes note of the concerns that you raised in the letter mentioned above, and of your readiness to travel to Gaborone, Republic of Botswana, to further
make representations on the matter.”
“The concerns that you have raised fall within the mandate of the SADC Electoral Advisory
Council (SEAC), which, incidentally, is preparing to travel to the Republic of Zambia to carry out a post-election review mission in terms of Article 7.3. of the revised SADC
Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021).”
“These reviews are critical to address any post-election conficts, or evaluate
recommendations made by electoral observation missions, and as a platform through which Member States can be encouraged to implement all relevant recommendations
emanating from the SADC Electoral Observation Missions (SEOM) and SEAC Reports.”
“Based on ongoing consultations with the Republic of Zambia, the Secretariat will
communicate with your offices on the dates and venue for the SEAC consultations with
electoral stakeholders in Zambia.”
“This will be the ideal forum for you to make the
representations above.”
SADC uses the SEAC report as part of the mechanism to resolve post elections conflicts and as a guide in implementing the recommendations made by the SADC Electoral Observation Mission(SEOM).
Dr Nevers Sekwila Mumba
SEOM Head of Mission for the Zimbabwe Harmonized Election of 2023(SADC)
The President of New National Party NNP is still around!
He has been in hibernation after his Political blunder to Exterminator the MMD invoked the wrath of the initiators of the Party..and again he continues his Blunders even on the SADC mission to Zambia.
Yes the SADC do have periodical engagements with countries holding elections. But these take on added significance if concerned parties raise concerns..This is where Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba ‘s letter comes in.
And indeed Opposition Political Parties will take advantage of this, and engage with SADC on the prevailing situation in Zambia.
So ba Nervous Mumba, it’s not Business as usual.
You are right! All Mumba is concerned about is for his cash flow to continue flowing!!!
Not this guy again…
NEVERS, SOMETIMES IF YOU HAVE NOTHING TO SAY STAY SILENT, IF YOU WANT TO BE THE RUNNING MATE, YOU WILL BE THE EQUIVALENT OF NKANDU LUWO OR SHE WILL EVEN TURN OUT BETTER BECAUSE YOU WILL CAUSE A HUGE NEGATIVE SUNAMI TO THE RULLING PARTY. IT IS STANDARD PROCEDURE FOR SADC TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES BEFORE AN ELECTION BUT THAT DOES NOT STOP THEM FROM SENDING REPRESENTATIVES IF PERTINENT ISSUES ARE RAISE, TO ARGUE EVEN ON OBVIOUS ISSUES JUST BECAUSE YOU WANT SOMEONE TO SEE YOU IS A BIG DISGRACE TO SOMEONE WHO ASCENDED TO THE NUMBER TWO POSITION IN ZAMBIA AT ONE POINT IN TIME. YOU ARE ALMOST BECOMING A CHIEF BOOTLICKER NOW, DEFEND WHAT CAN BE DEFENDED BUT THAT WHICH NEEDS TO BE CHECKED MUST BE ALLOWED TO BE CHECKED.