COMMONWEALTH STEPS OUT OF ZAMBIA’S POLITICAL DIALOGUE PROCESS
Prof Gambari The Commonwealth has stepped out of the dialogue process aimed at addressing the political impasse between Zambia’s ruling Patriotic Front and the main opposition party United Party for National Development and handed the process over to local in-country facilitators. In August, 2017 Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland facilitated the release from prison of Zambia’s main opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema who was charged with treason for allegedly obstructing a presidential motorcade. She proceeded to appoint Professor Ibrahim Gambari as her special envoy to facilitate a national political dialogue in Zambia. The purpose of the dialogue was to address national challenges and to enable the Republic of Zambia and its people to uphold its reputation for democracy, the rule of law and peace. Addressing the press after his recent visit to Zambia Gambari said: “Above all, there is a shared commitment to open-minded, to act with good faith and to ensu