HH should call for forgiveness, unity – CCZ

…Reverend Canon Phiri, the general secretary of the Council of Churches in Zambia appeals to President Hichilema to strike a reconciliatory tone during his inauguration speech, says Zambia needs healing after an acrimonious electoral period

By BARNABAS ZULU

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema should use his inauguration speech to preach forgiveness, peace, unity and healing and not vengeance or retribution following a tense election and acrimonious period, the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) has said.

Reverend Canon James Phiri, the CCZ Secretary General says the Hakainde Hichilema administration should begin to work towards eliminating divisions that characterized the general election and create an environment where Zambians can reconcile and respect divergent political views.

Speaking in an interview yesterday, Rev Canon Phiri said Zambia needed a spirit of unity and responsible leadership, particularly after the divisions that emerged during the electoral process.

“Our prayer is that we are going to continue to be a peaceful country and the new government should try to help that the divisions are not there. President Hichilema should strike a tone of forgiveness, unity, peace and national healing as he delivers his speech during his inauguration. Zambia needs healing and President Hichilema should preach love and not vengeance or indeed retribution,” Rev Canon Phiri said.

The clergyman also called on institutions of governance to ensure fairness and justice for both those in government and the opposition, especially after some opposition parties petitioned the election results.

“I think it should be fair play on one side. That is what we expect. We expect to see us united, respecting each other’s views,” he said.

Rev Canon Phiri cautioned those who won the election against treating their victory as an opportunity to seek revenge against political opponents.

“Those who have won, they should not take it as if now it is the victory and they bring revenge on those who are not on their side. We must remain One Zambia One Nation. Election come and go but we have Zambia to protect,” he said.

He said those entrusted with leadership had a responsibility to put the interests of the Zambian people first.

“It’s time for them to start serving this country, taking responsibility that they have been given responsibility by the people and they have to put the people first,” Rev Canon Phiri said.

He further called for dialogue among political leaders and other stakeholders as a way of addressing divisions created during the elections.

“Help us so that we can even have time to sit around the table and reconcile. Without the spirit of unity, it will be very difficult to reconcile this,” Rev Canon Phiri said.

Rev Canon Phiri said reconciliation required collective support from political leaders and other stakeholders, urging everyone to regard the post-election period as an opportunity to serve the country rather than deepen political divisions.

He said the CCZ expected President Hichilema and other leaders to promote a spirit of unity and service as the country begins a new political chapter.