EU voices concern over violence in Zambia ahead of polls

LUSAKA — The European Union (EU) on Wednesday expressed concern over the escalating political violence in Zambia ahead of general elections scheduled for August.

“The EU delegation and the heads of mission of EU member states are deeply concerned by the recent incidents of politically motivated violence in Zambia. The absence of violence is required to guarantee the Zambian people their democratic rights to free, fair and peaceful elections,” a statement released here said.

The statement added that preventing violence will strengthen Zambia’s international reputation as a peaceful, stable and tolerant country and its stance as a destination of choice for foreign investments and tourism.

The EU has since appealed to leaders of all political parties to come together to make a firm and public commitment to promote peace, adding that violence could have negative effects on the holding of peaceful elections on 11 August.

The statement has further called upon authorities to adopt a policy of zero tolerance towards all attempts by political party supporters to solve their differences using violence and to bring to justice all perpetrators of violence.

Meanwhile, Zambian president Edgar Lungu has described the violence that has characterised the pre-election era as a shame.

The Zambian leader has since called on all political leaders to educate their supporters on the dangers of violence and urged the youths not to succumb to political pressure by indulging in violent acts.

Violence has characterised the political environment in Zambia ahead of the general elections, with analysts fearing that the situation could worsen if nothing is done to curb the vice.

Last Saturday, supporters of main opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema fought running battles with Lungu’s supporters during the celebrations of Youth Day in Lusaka, the country’s capital.

The Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue, a coalition of political parties in the country, has since called for a summit of political leaders to find solutions to the escalating violence ahead of the elections.

The summit will be held on 29 March and all leaders of political parties have been contacted so that they attend the meeting.