By Daily Revelation Reporter
Zambia’s former Ambassador to Ethiopia Emmanuel Mwamba says he is now talking because he is pursuing politics and the presidency, and no longer engaging in civic and public affairs.
Amb Mwamba in his Facebook posting attacked what he described as one sided airing of a ZNBC documentary on the 2017 arrest of then opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema, which he said was aimed at inciting hatred on former president Edgar Lungu, late president Michael Sata and the PF, and claimed the country was going back to the days of late Chanda Chimba’s “Stand Up for Zambia” documentaries which were used by the then government to incite hatred against them opposition leader Sata. Mwamba also said the footage was based solely on the narration of First Lady Mutinta Hichilema, without attempts to balance up as a public broadcaster is supposed to do.
But put to him by Daily Revelation that ZNBC operated in similar fashion during the PF administration yet he kept quiet and did not say anything, Amb Mwamba claimed that he had never been silent, as his Facebook page shows that besides the official statements related to the office he held, he also commented on government policy, current and other issues.
“During the last seven years, I served as Zambia’s Ambassador accredited to South Africa, and later to Ethiopia and the Permanent Representative to the African Union. I have been away for seven years. On Government issues the President has his advisors, Presidential Spokesperson, Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Chief Government Spokesperson to speak on behalf of Government. It’s not the role of the Ambassador to do so. The Ambassador works at his embassy, and other accredited countries and the jurisdiction is limited to that role…a matter I did, communicated regularly on,” Amb Mwamba states. “Similarly, you will not see Ambassadors in this Government or other senior government officials run public comments on hot matters currently on-going in the country as structures exist such as Chief Government spokesperson, primarily to deal with the issues.”
He stated that on allegations of atrocities done under the PF, the law enforcement agencies such as the ACC or Police, or oversight institutions such as Auditor General’s office exist to deal with that..
He explained why he was now talking.
“I am now pursuing politics and seeking to contest the presidency. And I am now engaged in civic and public affairs and not as Ambassador. In this role you will hear me more and that of my views,” stated Amb Mwamba.
