Government campaign for AU seats wrong timing - Chipenzi

By Staff Reporter, Lusaka

Electoral expert McDonald Chipenzi says he reads with great interest and admiration the desire by Zambian government to get some seats at the AU which has led to the dispatch of close to five cabinet ministers who are currently criss-crossing the African continent lobbying for support from other African countries for support to its candidates Dr. Austin Sichinga and Albert Muchanga . 

Mr Chipenzi says this is a move which is important but perhaps taken at a very wrong time.

“Lobbying requires money and enough funds in dollars. Does Zambia have the dollars to embark on a massive campaign and lobby by January 2017 when this event takes place?” he says.

In a statement monitored by WM Media, Mr Chipenzi stated that a country in which the finance minister has publicly admitted that the economy needs recovery. 

“It is always amazing to see how these ministers have, from nowhere, managed to get the money to criss-across the continent of about to 54 states,” he stated. 

He wondered what the role of ambassadors and high commissioners in Africa countries is, for the government to start sending delegations to countries and regions. 

“I believe Zambia has envoys in East Africa where Vincent Mwale is lobbying, in West Africa where Dora Siliya is and other regions where Harry Kalaba and Given Lubinda are touring and I also believe the country has representatives at the AU. What are they doing? Is this not duplicating jobs or show of no confidence in these ambassadors and High commissioners to these regions and countries?” stated Mr Chipenzi. 

Mr Chipenzi has since demanded to know at what cost to the tax payers are AU campaign trips gobbling the treasury and what are the benefits from the campaigned for positions to Zambia? 

“Is this a budgeted for Expenditure, more so, that the budget is being debated now in Parliament? As a democratic country, the President should address the nation explaining the country's desire to contest some of the positions at the AU elective Summit, the benefits the country will get and how much the campaign will gobble from the national treasury and what sectors are likely to suffer during this time of lobbying,” he stated. 

He also stated that alternatively, MPs should raise a point of Order to get a comprehensive statement from the minister of foreign affairs as this will help reduce questions from citizens.