Dr. Fred M’membe, President of the Socialist Party of Zambia, addressed concerns about his party’s approach to forming political alliances and reiterated his commitment to the party’s democratic processes. Here’s a summary of his statements:
Key Points:
- No Unilateral Authority: Dr. M’membe clarified that he, as President, does not have the unilateral power to enter into political alliances. Any decision regarding alliances requires approval from the Socialist Party’s National Congress, the party’s highest decision-making body.
- Role of National Congress: The National Congress is responsible for approving alliances, ensuring that decisions are made collectively rather than by individual leaders. This process is intended to maintain transparency and adherence to the party’s principles.
- Structured Decision-Making: M’membe emphasized that the decision-making process within the Socialist Party is both structured and transparent. This contrasts with other political parties where leaders might have more autonomy in forming alliances.
- Response to Criticism: The remarks were partly in response to criticisms of the party’s leadership being dictatorial. M’membe refuted these accusations by highlighting the party’s democratic and collective decision-making process.
- Commitment to Principles: By stressing that any potential alliance would be thoroughly discussed and scrutinized, M’membe reinforced the party’s commitment to ensuring that all decisions align with its foundational principles.
