By ALICE NACHILEMBE
The Coalition for Peaceful Elections in Zambia has called for all political parties, actors and relevant institutions to continue creating a favorable atmosphere for peaceful, free, fair and transparent elections this August.
Zambia Center for Interparty Dialogue Board Chairperson Jackson Silavwe said this following the successful Peace Conference for Political Party Presidents where Presidential Candidates publicly reaffirmed their commitment to Zambia’s peace and national unity.
Mr Silavwe said the peace pledge signed should translate into practical actions towards encouraging peace and political cohesion on the ground.
He has urged all political parties to actualize the peace pledge by taking measures to restrain their members from engaging in violence.
“We are encouraged by all parties that signed the Peace Pledge. The door is still open for others to sign. The Coalition would like to see a complete cessation of any form of violence leading up to the elections. We urge all to uphold peace as that is in line with Zambia’s democratic values enshrined in the Constitution. Peace now and in future will ensure Sustainable Development and for us to live up to the good example of Zambia being a beacon of peace in the region,” said the representative of the three Church mother bodies,” he said.
Mr Silavwe said that the Coalition are working with the Church Mother Bodies to host a National Day of Prayer on 1st August 2021 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross to be attended by political party Presidents and selected electoral stakeholders.
He said the Coalition of Peaceful Elections in Zambia is a non-partisan national platform bringing together strategic Organizations whose main goal is to foster a peaceful, united and democratic Zambia.
