UPND Under Fire: EFF Exposes the Dark Shadow Tony Blair Casts on Zambia’s Digital Government Africa Summit

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UPND Under Fire: EFF Exposes the Dark Shadow Tony Blair Casts on Zambia’s Digital Government Africa Summit

[Lusaka, Zambia – 4th October 2023]

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) strongly condemns the decision of the United Party for National Development (UPND) to include Tony Blair, a controversial and polarizing figure, as a participant and advisor at the high-level Digital Government Africa Summit hosted by Zambia. This decision not only raises concerns within the country but also invites international negative attention, undermining the potential for positive regional and international engagement.

Firstly, we would like to highlight the fact that the State House in 2022 signed an undisclosed agreement to work with the Tony Blair Institute. The lack of transparency surrounding this agreement is deeply troubling, as it raises questions about the terms and conditions under which Blair will be advising and influencing the Zambian government.

As an organization committed to the principles of accountability and justice, we believe it is imperative to shed light on Blair’s controversial history, which raises serious doubts about his suitability as a participant in this summit. Tony Blair, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, is a highly controversial figure, with his tenure and actions shrouded in controversy and public revulsion. The following five controversies are just a fraction of the notable examples:

The Iraq War: Blair’s decision to join the United States in the invasion of Iraq in 2003 remains one of the most significant controversies of his tenure. The dubious justifications presented for going to war, particularly the claim that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, led to widespread criticism and distrust.

Dodgy Dossier: Prior to the Iraq War, Blair’s government published the infamous “dodgy dossier,” which falsely claimed that Iraq could launch weapons of mass destruction within 45 minutes. This deceitful act undermined the credibility of Blair’s leadership and his government’s commitment to truthfulness.

Intelligence Manipulation: Serious allegations have been made indicating that Blair’s government manipulated intelligence to support the case for the Iraq War. Such an abuse of power raises grave concerns about the integrity and transparency of decision-making processes within the Blair administration.

Hutton Inquiry: Following the mysterious death of weapons expert David Kelly, who had anonymously spoken out against the Iraq War, Blair’s government faced severe criticism for its handling of the situation. The Hutton Inquiry, which investigated the circumstances surrounding Kelly’s death, failed to conclusively address the concerns raised, casting a shadow of doubt over the government’s credibility.

Cash-for-Honors Scandal: Blair’s government was embroiled in the “cash-for-honors” scandal in 2006, wherein seats in the House of Lords were allegedly offered in exchange for financial donations to the Labour Party. Though no charges were brought against Blair or any individuals involved, the scandal eroded public trust and highlighted the urgent need for political reform.

In light of these controversies, we question the credibility of the choices being made at the State House, headed by the Zambian head of state and Smart Zambia. By persistently inviting individuals with a history of compromising and politically polarizing issues, the government puts into question its commitment to the well-being and best interests of the Zambian citizens and Zambia as a whole.

The EFF demands transparency and calls for the original agreement between State House and the Tony Blair Institute to be immediately published. Furthermore, we urge the UPND government to exercise caution and approach the selection of participants for such high-level events with credibility in mind. The people of Zambia deserve advisors and participants with unsoiled hands who can genuinely contribute without adversely affecting the nation’s interests.

In conclusion, the EFF emphasizes that these poor decisions by the UPND government to seek advice and participation from individuals with a tainted and corrupt reputation will only hinder progress and tarnish the reputation of Zambia. We must prioritize the interests of the citizens, demanding accountability and transparency at every step, and protecting our international reputation.

Wherever we want to go our feet will take us there,

Kasonde Mwenda C.
President
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)

About the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF):
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is dedicated to promoting economic freedom, social justice, and equality for all citizens. The EFF is committed to holding the government accountable and advocating for the well-being of the Zambian people.

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