MY 2009 RESIGNATION FROM PARLIAMENT: A WARNING ON TRIBAL DIVISIONS
I shall be publishing, in its entirety, the video recording of my statement upon resigning from Parliament in 2009. Seventeen years ago, I sounded an unequivocal warning against the insidious emergence of tribal divisions in our national political discourse. The passage of time has furnished painful evidence of the very dangers I foresaw.
National unity must transcend the theatrical expressions of solidarity cultivated for social media impressions. We cannot publicly celebrate the indivisibility of our country while privately perpetuating a culture of exclusive “inner tribal circles”, where ethnicity becomes an instrument of political patronage, preferential access and exclusion.
The integrity of our national unity must be measured by the conduct of those entrusted with public responsibility, the inclusiveness of our institutions and the equitable treatment of every citizen, irrespective of ethnic ancestry or geographical origin.
I invite you to listen to my 2009 statement in full and reflect upon its relevance to our national circumstances today. History has an uncanny way of preserving warnings that successive generations choose to disregard.
Zambia belongs equally to all its people.
Saviour Chishimba
President
United Progressive People (UPP)