THE United Nations (UN) in Zambia has strongly condemned the recent killing of two political party supporters in Kanyama, Lusaka, as well as other incidents of political violence reported in the country in the run-up to general elections due on 12 August.
In a statement by United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), national information officer Mark Maseko, United Nations has condemned political violence in Zambia.
The UN has cautioned that the ongoing violence can pose a threat to the conduct of credible and peaceful elections and undermine core democratic values enshrined in the Constitution of Zambia.
“There is no justification to indulge in violence, kill or harm another person or destroy property to settle political differences in a multiparty democracy. Let us not forget that a democracy is a system of Government providing a framework for organized and continuous dialogue to resolve differences,” said UN Resident Coordinator in Zambia, Dr. Coumba Mar Gadio.
“The UN calls on all Zambian political leaders to publicly condemn any form of violence and instruct their supporters to abide by the electoral code of conduct and refrain from any violent acts and to pursue constructive dialogue and existing legal mechanisms to settle their differences, peacefully and amicably,” added Dr. Gadio.
The UN will continue monitoring the situation and engaging with the Government and people of Zambia to maintain and sustain peace which is essential for attaining the country’s development priorities, the statement reads.
This comes in the wake of the murder of two PF members in Lusaka’s Kanyama compound by suspected UPND cadres.
And following the killings in Kanyama, the UPND has been banned from campaign in the area by the Electoral Commission of Zambia.
Author
