A new opposition political party called “The Zambia We Want” has been formed, with the former Minister of Tourism Prof. Patrick Kalifungwa heading the new grouping.
The Zambia We Want party was officially unveiled at a press conference held at the LIUTEBM University Campus in Lusaka this morning.
The new party has in its structures once-upon-a-time popular political figures such as former Commerce Minister Robert Sichinga, former MMD General Secretary Muhabi Lungu as well as former Minister of Defence Richwell Siamunene, among others.
Speaking at the party’s unveiling, Prof. Kalifungwa brought to light the primary principles under which the party shall operate.
“Our pledge is co-existence, dignity, integrity and respect for humanity. Our focus is the philosophy of good governance and the rule of law,” Prof. Kalifungwa said.
“This movement is for all Zambians who will provide self-determination, it has no boundaries but opportunity for participation to all without restriction.”
Meanwhile, former MMD General Secretary Muhabi Lungu, who was one of the speakers at the occasion, said The Zambia We Want party had been formed after a robust consultation process involving various groupings.
“More than a year ago, sometime in May 2023, intense consultation began among three separate groups of people, experienced citizens who had been involved in the economic and political process of the our country in the past 30 years,” Lungu said.
“These consultations included some political parties, a civil society organization and a number of unaffiliated citizens who all had strong concerns about the situation and direction of our country.”
Lungu said that a decision for The Zambia We Want party was arrived at in order to challenge the current administration’s style of governance.
“We came to an undeniable conclusion that in order to resolve Zambia’s immense problems, collective effort was an absolute necessity. We agreed to express a general dissatisfaction of the current political, social and economic situation as being managed by the current administration.”
Former Commerce & Trade Minister Robert Sichinga, former Defence Minister Richwell Siamunene and Ruth Chikasa, former General Secretary of the Zambia Must Prosper (ZMP) party were among the other figures who also spoke at the event.
