The world is watching Zambia

…to see if Zambia will maintain its world record of peace during this election period.

  By Ann Zulu

THE countdown to the long awaited August 11, a day that Zambians will go to the polls has begun.

On this day, Zambians will elect a new president, members of parliament, executive mayors, councillors and vote in a referendum in excise of their right according to the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia.

From the day the campaign season was officially launched on May 16 by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), all eyes have been on Zambia, as the whole world is watching and eager to see if the country will maintain its record of being a hub of peace.

But sadly, as the election date nears and campaigns intensify, the country is becoming more replete with instances of political violence and the fear of anarchy after the elections has continued to send cold shivers down the spines of many Zambian citizens.

Just within this short period of time, lives of vibrant Zambians have been lost in the wake of political-related violence; vivid examples are the death of a United Party for National Development (UPND) supporter Mapenzi Chibulo in Lusaka and two Patriotic Front (PF) officials Paul Longwane in Chongwe and Vincent Chanda in Kasama. They all lost their lives as a result of political violence.

Apart from the loss of lives, property worth millions of Kwacha has been lost to violence. Ready examples are the violence which occurred at PF Matero constituency office and at the UPND secretariat in Lusaka’s Rhodespark area, personal property and those of the parties were wantonly destroyed.

Women in politics have also not been spared from political violence, as they have continued to face intimidation and assault as they fight for gender equality in decision making positions.

Notable violence involving women are the attack on Namwala Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) Parliamentary candidate Charity Kabongomana who was beaten by suspected UPND cadres and the allegedly stripping of Mazabuka Central constituency PF chair lady Joyce Kangwa by suspected UPND cadres for putting her party regalia.

Most often, this violence is carried out by youths who are not in employment and have taken advantage of political season to make some money by engaging in illicit political activities.

“One has to make money and this is the only time we have, they (politicians) buy beers for us, provide vehicles and give us money. So we support and defend them, they are our bosses,” says a youth cadre of Lusaka who only identified as ‘Bigman’.

He explains that they put on party regalia and attack their ‘boss’s rivals, including members of the public who refuse to support their political party.

“We attack our ‘boss’s’ rivals and disturb their rallies because we are paid to do that. Sometimes we block roads and no motorist is allowed to pass through without flushing a symbol of a political party we support. For those who act pompous and try to resist, we beat them up,” he said.

Several stakeholders in the political process such as the ECZ, the Church, traditional leaders, NGOs, Civil Society organisations and the Police among others have come out strongly to condemn political violence and measures have been put in place to stop the vice from spreading further.

Following the rise of violence, the ECZ recently suspended campaigns in Lusaka and Namwala districts for 10 days and this was in exercise of its powers under section 28 (2) of the electoral process Act No. 2 of 2016.

Political rallies, meetings, processions and door to door campaigns were banned. Further, all branded campaign motor vehicles in the two districts were not allowed be used for any purpose.

ECZ Public Relations Manager Crispin Akufuna has also urged political parties and candidates countrywide to desist from violence.

“The commission re-iterates the need for peace before, during and after the elections the elections as violence not only endangers the lives of innocent citizens but will also result in voter apathy. The Commission will not hesitate to take stern action if violence continues,” Mr. Akufuna said.

The Zambia police have also been vigorous in curbing political violence and ensuring that sanity is maintained in the country.

Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja has warned that police will not spare anyone engaging in violence regardless of political affiliation.

He stated that the police had to put in more effort in preventing the vice from escalating.

Mr.Kanganja assured that violence during election period would be met with full force, reiterating that the police would not relent towards curbing violence during and after elections.

“The police will deal with any perpetrator trying to cause violence in country ahead of the elections, there is need for people to adhere to all laws and rules governing the electoral process,” Mr.Kanganja said.

For the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), the only way to ensuring that Zambia holds peaceful is to engage the Church to urgently convene another meeting of political party presidents before the actual day of voting with a view to them making a joint pledge before the Zambian people to end the culture of violence and allow for peaceful elections.

“Political leaders are the only key to ending violence, but they have not heeded LAZ and other organisations constant calls to ensure that their supports campaign peacefully, so maybe if the church is involved this could be done,” said LAZ president Linda Kasonde.

The Church believes that Zambia is a Christian Nation and that no evil will befall the country, as God has always watched over the land and its people.

To them, prayer changes things and with God nothing is impossible.

The Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) in conjunction with the National House of Prayer set July 24, as a day to pray for the country’s peace in the run up to the general elections.

The prayers were  held at the Lusaka show grounds main arena.

According to EFZ Executive Director Reverend Pukuta Mwanza, the Church prayed to reverse the challenges facing the nation during the election period.

“We prayed against the spirit of violence, Zambia is a peaceful nation and we cannot allow this violence to continue. As Christians, we believe that when we pray God answers and on this day, we will pray and ask for God’s mercy,” Rev. Mwanza said.

And the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) has urged candidates contesting for several political positions in the elections to accept the final outcome of the results to promote peace.

YALI president Andrew Nthewewe stressed that in any contest, there is one winner, a principal he says should be respected.

“There is no need for hate and demonstrations if you have been defeated because we cannot have two winners, those who fail to win should remain calm to promote peace. Those with genuine reasons can go to courts of law for redress,” Mr Ntewewe said.

With all these efforts, the surest way to disgrace a peaceful and respectable country like Zambia is to give in to political violence. But also, no matter how formidable violence is becoming ahead of next month’s elections, the Zambian people can overcome it and maintain the country’s peace record with unity and love.

The need to safeguard the peace that the country has enjoyed over the years is vital than anything else. It’s time for Zambians to forget about all their political affiliations and focus on promoting peaceful election on August 11, the time to sing the “Tiyende Pamodzi Ndimutima Umo” is now. The world is watching, will Zambia maintain its world record of peace during this election period?