Zambia’s main opposition parties in alliance

LUSAKA – Zambia’s three biggest opposition parties on Wednesday launched an alliance to oppose President Levy Mwanawasa in elections later this year.

The United Democratic Alliance will field one presidential candidate while parliamentary seats will be shared equally between the three parties. “We have agreed to field one presidential candidate who will be elected by consensus,” said Njekwa Anamela, vice president of the former ruling United National Independence Party (UNIP).The alliance was formed between UNIP, the United Party for National Development (UPND) and the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), who jointly have 65 seats in the 150-seat National Assembly.UNIP is headed by Tilyenji Kaunda, a son of founding president Kenneth Kaunda, while UPND is led by Anderson Mazoka who lost the 2001 presidential elections by a slim margin.”This time we shall not split the votes like we did in the last elections.This means Mwanawasa cannot beat us,” Mazoka told some 2 000 supporters at the launch.The FDD is headed by Edith Nawakwi, the only woman opposition leader who has also served as finance minister.All three party leaders are considered strong contenders to become the alliance’s presidential candidate later this year.The ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy has 79 seats in the assembly.Zambia is due to hold presidential, parliamentary and local government elections this year but the dates of the polls have not been announced by Mwanawasa, who is seeking a second term.- Nampa-AFP”We have agreed to field one presidential candidate who will be elected by consensus,” said Njekwa Anamela, vice president of the former ruling United National Independence Party (UNIP).The alliance was formed between UNIP, the United Party for National Development (UPND) and the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), who jointly have 65 seats in the 150-seat National Assembly.UNIP is headed by Tilyenji Kaunda, a son of founding president Kenneth Kaunda, while UPND is led by Anderson Mazoka who lost the 2001 presidential elections by a slim margin.”This time we shall not split the votes like we did in the last elections.This means Mwanawasa cannot beat us,” Mazoka told some 2 000 supporters at the launch.The FDD is headed by Edith Nawakwi, the only woman opposition leader who has also served as finance minister.All three party leaders are considered strong contenders to become the alliance’s presidential candidate later this year.The ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy has 79 seats in the assembly.Zambia is due to hold presidential, parliamentary and local government elections this year but the dates of the polls have not been announced by Mwanawasa, who is seeking a second term.- Nampa-AFP