UPND president Hakainde Hichilema will next Tuesday discuss opposition political parties’ role in preserving Zambia’s democracy at Chatham House in London.

In a Facebook post today, HH announced that Chatham House, which is The Royal Institute of International Affairs, had invited him to speak.

“We wish to announce to you that we been invited to speak at The Royal Institute of International Affairs in London, UK, commonly known as The Chatham House next Tuesday 31st October,2017. We have been specifically asked to discuss three things i.e. UPND priorities, support required for opposition political parties and the role of the parties in ensuring that Zambia’s democracy is preserved,” HH stated.

“You may be aware that The Chatham House was named the top non-U.S. think tank by Foreign Policy Magazine. In the University of Pennsylvania’s 2015 Global Think Tanks Report, Chatham House is ranked the second most influential think tank in the world after the Brookings Institution.”

And according to an overview of the event posted on https://www.chathamhouse.org/event/political-opposition-and-policy-alternatives-zambia, HH will also discuss his party’s priorities.

“In Zambia’s 2016 national election, the Patriotic Front (PF) was re-elected by a narrow margin. The PF’s Edgar Lungu secured 50.35 per cent of the vote according to the Electoral Commission of Zambia, narrowly avoiding a second round, while his main rival, Hakainde Hichilema, won 47.67 per cent. The UPND, led by Mr Hichilema, alleges electoral fraud and has challenged the result in the courts and through direct protests. Mr Hichilema was imprisoned for 100 days. At this meeting, Hakainde Hichilema will discuss his UPND priorities, how to strengthen opposition parties and their role in Zambia’s democratic future,” read the overview.

Chatham House is an independent policy institute whose mission is to help build a sustainably secure, prosperous and just world.