The main opposition parties in Zambia on Thursday continued their walkout from Parliament, vowing to pursue protests against what they have claimed is the unconstitutional appointment of Vice President Nevers Mumba.
It was the second walkout in as many days when opposition lawmakers filed en masse out of Parliament to protest Mumba’s presence there.
”We have resolved to continue walking out of Parliament because we do not consider Mumba to be a member of Parliament and subsequently vice president,” said a statement issued by Bob Sichinga, the head of the inter-party parliamentary committee, which groups Zambia’s opposition parties.
According to the Zambian Constitution any person who loses an election cannot be nominated to Parliament. Mumba contested the last presidential election and lost to President Levy Mwanawasa.
He was chosen as one of eight unelected officials which by presidential right Mwanawasa has appointed to the 150-member Parliament.
The opposition has gone to court to challenge Mumba’s appointment as vice president. Mumba replaced former vice president Enoch Kavindele, who was sacked in a cabinet reshuffle in May.
Mwanawasa’s ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy has the majority in Parliament, which means it can carry out business without the opposition. – Sapa-AFP