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Zambian opposition leader seeks to rejoin ruling party

Xinhua, September 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

An opposition leader in Zambia on Monday revealed his desire to rejoin the country's ruling party.

Miles Sampa, leader of the United Democratic Front (UDF), resigned as deputy minister of finance in the run-up to last month's elections and formed his own party.

He later joined forces with the main opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) in de-campaigning the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) during the campaigns.

But according to a letter addressed to President Edgar Lungu and copied to senior members of the ruling party, the opposition leader said he wanted to return back to the ruling party after realizing the mistakes he made in leaving in the first place.

"Today I woke up with deep reflection on my recent past. I realize that I went astray. From the date I lost my mentor and father figure, my actions have been irrational and superseded by emotions. I deeply regret it all and marks as a solid lesson," he said in his letter dated September 19, 2016.

Sampa, the nephew to late President Michael Sata who founded the PF in 2001, said he has decided to rejoin the ruling party after seeing guidance from a number of people but noted that he does not seek or expect any position or appointment in Lungu's government.

Sampa was one of the ruling party senior members who attempted to succeed Sata following his death in 2014 but lost to Lungu in party elections. Endit