State House Responds to Oasis Forum's Political Commentary

Presidential Political Advisor Levy Ngoma has clarified the government's stance following recent statements by the Oasis Forum regarding opposition unity ahead of future elections.

The Forum advised opposition parties Thursday to select a single leader among themselves, warning that multiple candidates would split their votes. Speaking in an interview Friday, Ngoma suggested this revealed the organization's true political intentions.

"They are looking to the opposition to form government. That's what they have been wanting all the [this] time," Ngoma stated. "It's very clear what their intentions are, you can run but you can't hide."

The advisor emphasized that the Forum's recommendation crossed into partisan territory. "They are advising them [to] choose a president amongst themselves so that is what they want, they want a president from the opposition, isn't it?" he said. "I'm seeing it the way it is, very clear, straightforward, that's what they want, so let them continue playing politics, they should be treated as politicians."

Ngoma questioned whether such electoral strategy advice falls within the Forum's proper mandate, noting that member organizations have their own party affiliations. "It's clear, they want them to choose a president amongst themselves, is that their role? They belong to parties," he observed.

The government maintains its commitment to engaging constructively with civil society while recognizing when organizations adopt overtly political positions. "When you hear the inflammatory statements, you are now able to see, you don't even need to be a rocket scientist to tell that this is what they want," Ngoma added.