Zambia: New party launched

By Francis Maingaila
LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) - A new breakaway party said to be composed of members from the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) and opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) has been launched Tuesday with the admitted purpose of uniting the country which is politically divided not only along tribal but also regional lines.
Party president Highvie Hamududu -- former UPND -- told journalists in Lusaka that a new party called Party for National Unity (PNU) will work towards building a united Zambia.
“Zambia is a unitary state. This division being nurtured by selfish politicians will spell doom to the country,” he said.
Political scientist, Beyani Choolwe, from the University of Zambia, said he suspected a new political party was sponsored by the government to kill the influence opposition parties have in Zambia.
Choolwe told Anadolu Agency in a telephone interview that after failing to fulfill its campaign promises, the ruling PF has lost its political influence to the extent that it almost lost the disputed Aug. 11 general and presidential election.
“I strongly suspect that, the government has sponsored this party to divide the opposition vote especially, for the opposition UPND.”
“For me, this is nothing but a PF surrogate party designed to split the opposition vote,” he added.
Local media report that the new party is indeed funded by President Egar Lungu.