Zambia's ruling party splits

The debate over Chiluba's third term led to violent protests

Political divisions in Zambia have led to the formation of a new political party to challenge President Frederick Chiluba's Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD).

We challenge others who are claiming to be true MMD members to resign and join the new party

Michael Sata
MMD national secretary

About 80 senior members of the MMD have resigned from the party's executive national committee and say they will eventually switch to the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD).

The split has come about as a result of the damaging debate about whether President Chiluba should stand for a third term.

The FDD will challenge the MMD in the presidential elections later this year.

Responding to the move, MMD national secretary Michael Sata said it was time for faithful members of the party to stand up and be counted.

"This was long overdue, " Mr Sata told AFP, "we knew that they were forming a new party.

Chiluba has now said he will not seek a third term

"Therefore, we challenge others who are claiming to be true MMD members to resign and join the new party."

He said that the mass resignation of the national executive committee would not affect MMD's operations.

Challenge

The MMD altered its constitution last month to allow President Chiluba to run as its presidential candidate for a third term in elections later this year.

The arguments over this decision led to President Chiluba sacking his entire cabinet

Mr Chiluba has since said that he will not go beyond the constitutional limit of two terms.

Some of the rebel MMD members will for the time being try to remain within the party.

If they left the party they would have to give up their parliamentary seats, which would end their plans to impeach President Chiluba.

So far the highest profile politician to join the new party is former Vice-President Christon Tembo.