Africa Union (AU) High Representative on infrastructure and development Raila Ondinga implored both the ruling and opposition political parties to work together to foster national development.
Mr. Ondinga who is leader of the Orange Democratic Movement Party in Kenya said President Elect Hakainde Hichilema’s victory was a clear indication that once opposition political parties unite they can consolidate their efforts and win elections.
He said Zambia was a model of what opposition political parties can achieve if they worked as a united front and that opposition political parties in Africa should emulate Zambia by ensuring that they put aside their ideological differences and unite to work together.
Mr. Odinga explained that it was difficult for a sitting government to rig an election when opposition parties unite.
“The incoming government should not to extinguish the opposition but rather work hand in hand in growing the country’s democratic tenets and the opposition should oppose constructively, they provide checks and balances to the sitting government,” he said.
Mr. Odinga said the ruling Government would not be able to know where it was failing if the opposition was extinguished.
He emphasised the need for government and the opposition to work closely and deepen the country’s democracy.
Picture: REUTERS
