UBZ, APC announce intention to withdraw from TONSE Alliance, as PF internal wrangles deepen

The United for Better Zambia (UBZ) Party has withdrawn from the Tonse Alliance Council of Leaders, citing leadership failure, deepening internal wrangles, and a lack of discipline.

In a resignation letter addressed to Tonse Alliance Council of Leaders Chairperson, Given Lubinda, UBZ Party President Hector Soondo said the party could no longer remain in an alliance that had failed to provide clear direction and hope to Zambians amid persistent political and economic challenges.

Soondo said the Tonse Alliance had become consumed by internal conflicts and factionalism, leaving citizens disillusioned and uncertain about the opposition grouping’s capacity to offer credible leadership.

He further accused the alliance of failing to maintain discipline and accountability, alleging that certain individuals operating under the guise of non-governmental organizations had interfered in political decision-making, thereby undermining the authority of legitimate political party leaders.

According to Soondo, such interference has weakened democratic processes within the alliance and stalled political progress by allowing unelected actors to influence key decisions for personal or factional interests.

The UBZ Party President also criticized the council for prioritizing internal power struggles over urgent national issues such as poverty, unemployment, and economic hardship, which he said should be at the centre of any serious political movement.

Soondo further stated that the Tonse Alliance Council of Leaders had failed to uphold transparency and inclusivity, with decision-making allegedly centralized and conducted without adequate consultation with all member parties, particularly smaller political formations.

“As a result, smaller parties have been marginalized and denied meaningful participation in shaping the alliance’s direction,” he said.

Despite withdrawing from the Tonse Alliance Council of Leaders with immediate effect, UBZ clarified that it would remain affiliated with the People’s Pact Movement, through which it initially joined the alliance.

Soondo said the decision to withdraw was guided by the party’s commitment to the interests of Zambians rather than continued association with an alliance he alleged had lost focus and credibility.

Similarly, All People’s Congress (APC) leader, Nason Msoni, said the Tonse Alliance no longer represented the idea of a potent movement that was envisaged to unseat the UPND.

“PF wrangles have overshadowed the Tonse Alliance movement and rendered it into a stillborn political grouping,” Msoni noted.

He said the APC had previously participated in many other political alliances, but that the Tonse experience was not inspiring, emphasizing that a political alliance cannot be held to ransom by one political party.

“We therefore give notice to you our colleagues that the APC will soon be holding an emergency meeting to review its further participation in the Tonse alliance and decide on the way forward,” Msoni said.

He stated that there was no time for further procrastination in the new year, noting that political events were likely to precipitate very quickly and that the party did not have the luxury of sitting back and watching political wrangles unfold.

Msoni added that Zambians were looking for political leaders who were not driven by personal egos or an insatiable appetite for political power.

“We will not be mere political spectators in a game of leadership. Ideally by putting on-hold our own political ambitions is not a sign of weakness but patriotism,” he said.

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