UN TO SURRENDER MUNDUBILE, MAKEBI ZULU TO ZAMBIAN AUTHORITIES
… as global body agrees to hand over opposition duo following treason and national security stand-off
By DAVID KANDUZA
THE United Nations has agreed to release opposition leader Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu from its premises into the custody of the Zambia Police Service, sources close to the diplomatic negotiations have confirmed.
The high-stakes decision marks the end of an intense, multi-day post-election standoff that has pushed Zambia’s political atmosphere to a boiling point.
The National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) leaders sought emergency refuge at the United Nations compound in Lusaka.
They fled there following a deadly military raid at Mr Mundubile’s home shortly after the August 13 general election.
During that operation, former Transport and Communications Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya was shot dead in an exchange of gunfire.
Mr Mundubile and Zulu claimed the raid was a State-sponsored assassination plot and declared themselves unsafe.
However, high-level diplomatic ‘shuttle diplomacy’ led by a representative of UN Secretary-General António Guterres had failed to secure alternative safe passage.
With the State increasing diplomatic pressure, the UN had ultimately agreed to exit the impasse.
Church leaders though not specially mentioned by the source, would be brought in to mediate and witness the formal handover of the two politicians to law enforcement officers.
Inspector General of Police Graphael Musamba previously issued official call-out notices for the pair.
State authorities link them to serious crimes that undermine national security, including
There was no response from State institutions at the time of press time as all efforts failed