By Brian Matambo – Lusaka, Zambia

Patriotic Front Secretary General and Tonse Alliance Secretary General Raphael Mangani Nakachinda has broken his silence following the violent disruption of Tuesday’s Tonse Alliance Council of Leaders meeting, which was controversially convened at the residence of Patriots for Economic Progress president Sean Tembo.

Speaking live across various social media platforms this morning, Nakachinda said he deeply regretted the incident, which saw cadres storm and scatter a meeting that had been irregularly called. He noted that the conduct was unacceptable, especially given the opposition’s responsibility to model unity and discipline before the Zambian people.

“It is regrettable that we can be having incidences that the Zambian people have expressed in time past they do not want to witness. The violence is already known under the UPND, and for our cadres to take it upon themselves to disrupt a meeting speaks to a serious matter,” Nakachinda said.

He confirmed that he had instructed Tonse Alliance Youth Chairperson and PF Deputy Youth Chairperson Celestine Mukandila, together with Ibrahim Mwamba who also issued a statement, to furnish him with a full report on what transpired. Nakachinda stressed that the Patriotic Front is a rebranded party, and does not want elements denting its image.

“As Secretary General, I take responsibility. PF is rebranded, and we don’t want elements that will damage the party’s reputation. Leadership is tested in moments like this, and we must show wisdom and restraint,” he said.

Nakachinda also turned to the wider opposition, affirming that the PF as an anchor party in the Tonse Alliance remains committed to holding the coalition together. He promised to engage every member of the Council of Leaders, stressing that the work of unifying the alliance will continue in honor of the late President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and in respect of the wishes of the Zambian people.

“There will be a fresh meeting, properly called through my office, after I complete consultations. All issues will be addressed and resolved in a properly constituted gathering. In politics, nothing is too sacred if people are willing and have a common goal,” he said.

Nakachinda appealed to all PF members and the Zambian public to remain calm, assuring them that the opposition remains focused on its central mission: to emancipate Zambians from the economic and social hardships created under the UPND administration.

“We pray that God gives us wisdom, patience, courage and boldness to deal with what comes our way. The goal is to emancipate the Zambian people from the mismanagement of their affairs,” Nakachinda concluded.

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