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The Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) has raised concerns over what it described as selfishness, fear, and a lack of funding among opposition leaders in both the Tonse Alliance and the United Kwacha Alliance (UKA).
FDD Chairperson for International Relations, Anthony Chibuye, warned that this disunity was giving the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) an advantage ahead of next year’s elections.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Friday, Chibuye said working within the opposition, particularly in the Tonse Alliance, had become frustrating due to a lack of collective strategy and resources.
“The opposition is in a very bad state. If this continues, the UPND will easily secure another five-year mandate,” he cautioned.
Chibuye accused opposition leaders of failing to unite against the ruling party, which he said had allowed the UPND to push for constitutional amendments instead of addressing economic challenges.
“UPND today is able to do all sorts of things, including suggesting constitutional amendments, because we in the opposition are too selfish and gripped with fear,” he said.
He further criticized the lack of funding and mobilization within opposition parties, noting that while UPND was actively campaigning, the opposition remained stagnant.
“With elections approaching, the opposition has no tangible funding or grassroots mobilization, while UPND is busy strengthening its position,” Chibuye said.
He also alleged that President Hakainde Hichilema had placed cadres in key institutions such as the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), the police, and the National Assembly, yet opposition parties were failing to take action.
Chibuye urged opposition alliances to invest in voter sensitization and fight what he termed as growing political caderism within the ECZ.
“If we remain silent, young men like Kapwepwe Francis will continue taking matters into their own hands, expressing frustration in ways that could be avoided if the opposition was more active,” he warned.
Chibuye called for immediate action, emphasizing that without unity and strategic mobilization, the opposition risked failing to challenge the UPND effectively in the 2026 elections.
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