Opposition lawmaker Stephen Kampyongo says the development goals President Hakainde Hichilema set out in his address to Parliament can be reached if Zambians embrace peace and unity. Britain has pledged to back the Grow Zambia Agenda, but has also said opposition parties must…

Opposition lawmaker Stephen Kampyongo says the development goals President Hakainde Hichilema set out in his address to Parliament can be reached if Zambians embrace peace and unity. Britain has pledged to back the Grow Zambia Agenda, but has also said opposition parties must have room to operate.

The reactions followed the President’s speech opening the First Session of the 14th National Assembly in Lusaka. He closed the address with a call for patriotism, peace and national unity, telling MPs that “without unity, there can be no shared future.”

Mr Kampyongo welcomed the President’s recognition that divisions must be addressed and a less hostile political environment created. He said meaningful development depends on citizens living together despite their differences.

He added that unity and peace are essential if the country is to make progress and meet its development objectives. His remarks are among the first from the opposition benches since the new House sat.

The President had earlier told the chamber that the election period is behind the country. “Whatever our political choices were, we remain one law-abiding people, bound together by Zambia, and a common destiny,” he said, repeating a line from his inauguration.

British High Commissioner Rebecca Terzeon said the United Kingdom is ready to work with Government to promote growth, strengthen trade and attract investment. She said the address made clear that economic growth will be the main focus of the next five years, and that Britain is prepared to support initiatives aligned with the agenda.

“The United Kingdom has been a close partner to Zambia for many years. Zambeef has received support from British investment. There are also UK-backed companies and traders active in sectors such as energy,” Ms Terzeon said.

She pointed to the recent visit by UK Trade Commissioner for Africa Alastair Long as evidence of that commitment. Mr Long held talks with Government officials, businesses and investors on trade and investment in mining, energy, finance and infrastructure.

The High Commissioner also welcomed the larger number of women and young people in Parliament, calling it an important step towards inclusive governance. Alongside her support, she stressed that opposition parties need enough space to operate and hold Government accountable.

She said democratic institutions should remain independent, transparent and effective, and she underlined the importance of a free media in strengthening democracy.

Vice-President W.K. Mutale Nalumango made a similar appeal from the Government side. She said the nation must now look beyond political differences and unite to advance the interests of Zambia.

Mrs Nalumango said the country’s democratic maturity will be measured by how far its institutions are respected and how well citizens work together to improve lives.

Moving the vote of thanks, nominated MP Mubita Anakoka urged all members to study the speech closely so that their response to it on the floor is informed.

The new seats in the House drew their own response. Mixed-member proportional representation MP Lazarus Hakalebula, a visually impaired gospel musician and businessman, welcomed the plan to set up a structured talent-identification programme for the creative sector.

He said many people with disabilities have skills, creativity and abilities that have never been properly recognised or developed. The programme, he said, is timely because it could give talented citizens from every background a chance to benefit from the Grow Zambia Agenda.

First Lady Mutinta Hichilema said in a statement on her Facebook page that Zambia’s leadership is becoming more inclusive because of the constitutional reforms. Those reforms brought 20 more women, 15 youths and five persons with disabilities into Parliament.

“A Zambia where women are empowered, children are protected and everyone has the opportunity to thrive,” she said of the goal.

The United Nations Population Fund also welcomed the address. Its Zambia country representative, Anna Holmstrom, said she was pleased by the President’s emphasis on building a strong supply chain for medical supplies.

In his closing remarks, the President said the future the country wants cannot be delivered by Government alone. He called on the private sector, civil society, traditional and religious leaders and every citizen to take part, and acknowledged what he called “the toxicity around here” in the domestic political environment.

MPs will now take up the President’s policy pronouncements in the House. That is the first chance for the opposition to respond formally to the call for unity.