The Patriotic Front (PF) says the party will conduct internal consultations aimed at invigorating a conclusive position on the national dialogue and reconciliation process.

In a statement, PF media director Sunday Chanda quoted Secretary General Davies Mwila as saying that the party noted the position taken by the Church and the Zambian Centre for Inter-Party Dialogue (ZCID) over the national dialogue process and that it would come up with its position.

“Patriotic Front Secretary General Hon Davies Mwila has noted the position taken by the Church and the Zambian Centre for Inter-Party Dialogue over the national dialogue process and wishes to state that the ruling party will, in the next few days after internal consultations have been made with members of the Central Committee, come out to issue its conclusive position in the spirit of driving the national dialogue ahead. ‘We reiterate as a party that the Church, ZCID, other faith-based organizations, trade unions, civil society and student’s movement and the youth and women must find common ground that puts the interest of the nation at heart. As a governing party, we shall not stifle this debate on either the facilitation or leadership of the dialogue nor favour or side-line any key stakeholder in this process, but we shall continue to listen to all voices,” read the statement.

“As stated by His Excellency the Republican and Party President, Edgar C. Lungu, before his departure to Namibia last week, the PF has always been ready and willing to dialogue based on a workable issue-based agenda that focuses on reforms in the Constitution, electoral laws and agreed enforcement of the Public Order Act. As a party, we shall attend unconditional talks with the opposition parties and other stakeholders because Zambia is not in crisis, and we believe no one must create an artificial crisis.”

He stated that the party has been working towards galvanising a position based on past pronouncements by the party president.

“Hon. Mwila has also reaffirmed that the party secretariat has also been working in the background to galvanise a position based on past pronouncements by the President and the party leadership over the dialogue and the Party Secretary General will in the next few days issue a position paper that will be as a result of full consultation within the party leadership over the draft position,” read the statement.