March 2001 Africa News Headlines

Thursday, March 29, 2001 - Web posted at 9:32:03 AM GMT

Row erupts in Zambia's ruling party over 3rd term amendment

LUSAKA - Top leaders in Zambia's ruling party have not backed an amendment to allow President Frederick Chiluba to go for a third term, contrary to a statement by their national secretary, 14 senior party members said yesterday."

"We wish to call to the attention of the members of our party, the MMD, and the public at large, that the NEC meeting .... did not make a decision on whether or not the president should run for a third term, contrary to the impression being projected in the national media," they said in a statement.

The 14 party members, including Zambian Vice President Christon Tembo, said the party's national secretary misled reporters when he said Sunday that the national executive committee had endorsed the third term proposal.

They said the committee had only agreed to put the issue to a vote at the party's national convention."

"We are deeply distressed and disappointed that the statement was made by the national secretary, who is not party spokesman," the statement said."

"In accordance with our party constitution, the meeting agreed to refer the matter to the extra-ordinary convention for a resolution," a joint statement signed by 14committee members said.

Michael Sata, national secretary of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), had told journalists on Sunday that the committee had resolved with "a comfortable majority" to amend the party constitution to allow Chiluba to go for a third term.

Chiluba's second term ends this year, and currently both his party's charter and the national constitution limit the president to two consecutive five-year terms.

His supporters have launched a controversial movement to amend both documents to allow Chiluba to run for re-election.

Chiluba has avoided making any statement on his own plans, but has said he will abide by the majority decision on the third term debate.

- Nampa-Sapa-AFP

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