May16, 2019

We, a consortium of non-governmental organizations, are elated that the just-ended National Dialogue Forum (NDF) was an all-inclusive process as delegates freely expressed their views.

We commend the delegates for their patriotism spirit demonstrated during the deliberations, and their valuable input on key national issues.

However, the NDF has shamed its critics and those who shunned participation on the pretext that it was a sham with a pre-determined outcome.

We do not expect those who shunned the NDF to throw stones at its final product as they had chosen to be spectators and not participants.

More so, it would be unpatriotic for Members of Parliament (MPs) who shunned the NDF to go to Parliament and frustrate efforts of those who sacrificed their time and resources in the national interest to participate in the NDF.

Mostly, we congratulate President Edgar Lungu for his tacit commitment to the tenets of democracy as he facilitated the NDF deliberations on the constitution without due influence, and respected the will of the Zambian people.

Issued by:

1. ZAMBIAN DNA

2. MOVEMENT FOR ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AND DEMOCRACY (MEED)

3. MEDIA ELECTION MONITORING