Bishops back calls for Lungu, HH to dialogue

By OLIVER SAMBOKO
THE Bishops Council of Zambia (BCZ) has welcomed the call by Chief Hamuusonde for President Edgar Lungu and UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema to dialogue over political violence in the country.
During a meeting between chiefs and President Lungu, Chief Hamusonde challenged the two leaders to dialogue over political violence.
He said the conflicts between the two parties had caused a lot of bloodshed in the country which should end once and for all.
Chief Hamusonde also called for a meeting between chiefs from the Eastern and Southern provinces to facilitate for dialogue for the two parties.
BCZ general secretary Bishop Abel Kaela said the call by the traditional leader was timely considering that the country was heading towards the presidential and general elections next year.
He said political violence has potential to cause civil rife in the country hence the urgent need for the two leaders to find ways of ending it.
Bishop Kaela said just like the traditional leaders, the Church was also concerned about the culture of political violence which if not stopped could rob the country of its peace and harmony.
He said Zambia as a country was known for her peace and wondered why some politicians were using their supporters to fan violence when they (politicians) were secretly living at peace with one another.