MMD youths have advised the Richard Kachingwe-faction to engage in dialogue with the Nevers Mumba-led group for the sake of unity.

MMD national youth secretary Tobias Kafumukache said the MMD believed in the rule of law and thus would not condone illegality to take root.

Mr Kafumukache said at a media briefing at the party secretariat in Lusaka yesterday that the division in the party was a recipe for anarchy and a threat to national security.

"Our doors are still open. If they (splinter group) still want to dialogue, we can dialogue. They can put it in writing," he said.

He challenged Home Affairs Minister Edgar Lungu to close the splinter group's secretariat run by expelled MMD chairperson for women Catherine Namugala.

"On the so-called splinter group and new secretariat which has no name, I wish to ask the Minister of Home Affairs Edgar Lungu to quickly shut that office because it's an illegal office.

"We cannot allow the security of our nation to be threatened because the group is causing a threat to peace by causing divisions," Mr Kafumukache said.

He distanc ed himself from the splinter group headed by Major Kachingwe and Ms Namugala.