LUSAKA, June 22 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government on Friday summoned British High Commissioner Fergus Cochrane-Dyet for a meeting.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Malanje confirmed the summoning of the British envoy but could not reveal why he has been summoned, according to state broadcaster, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation.
The Zambian minister however said the nature of the discussions will be revealed after the meeting expected to be held on Friday, June 22.
British High Commissioner Fergus Cochrane-Dyet has attracted the wrath of supporters of the governing Patriotic Front (PF) over his strong remarks on issues happening in the country ranging from governance, corruption and political violence through his tweets.
The ruling party sympathizers are angry with the British envoy and have been writing articles on social media calling for his expulsion.
Meanwhile some civil society organizations in Zambia on Friday voiced their concerns against continued attacks from supporters of the governing party over his comments on what was happening in the country.
ActionAid, one of the civil society organizations, said government sympathizers should stop attacks on the British envoy.
In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the organization said the alleged summoning of the British envoy proves that what he has been tweeting were right.
"Those are manifestations of authoritarianism. Free advice to those in government, not everyone that criticizes you hates you," the statement said.
The organization said it fully supports the stance taken by the British envoy and urged other ambassadors and cooperating partners in the country to emulate his boldness and tell the government the truth.
Another organization, the Non-Governmental Organizations Coordinating Council (NGOCC), said it was worrying that the British envoy could be summoned by the government for merely expressing his views on the issues happening in the country.
It said in a statement that the path taken by the government to intimidate those supporting institutions carrying out their constitutional mandates should be condemned and that the government should stop tampering with diplomatic ties with other countries.
On Wednesday, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Dora Siliya said it was important for diplomats accredited to the country to observe diplomatic etiquette even as they comment on issues in the country.
She said the government expected diplomats to use diplomatic channels in airing their views on various issues happening in the country.
In April this year, the government expelled Cuban Ambassador Nelson Pages Vilas after he attended the launch of a new political party and made some unwelcome remarks at the event.
