Politics should not divide us – Kalaba

…warns that political anger and divisions could leave lasting scars on the nation, advises that Zambians should desist from insulting or slandering each other on account of political differences

By BARNABAS ZULU

ZAMBIANS should remain united as ever before despite their political differences because the country should take precedence over electoral contests and disagreements, Harry Kalaba has said.

Mr Kalaba, the Citizens First (CF) leader says the country had gone through a difficult and emotional period in recent days, warning that political anger and divisions could leave lasting scars on the nation.

“However, we must remember something greater than any election. We only have one Zambia. The Zambia we tear apart today, is the same Zambia our children will inherit tomorrow,” Mr Kalaba said.

Mr Kalaba said the destruction of property and attacks on fellow citizens in the name of politics would ultimately hurt Zambians themselves.

He said roads destroyed out of anger would still be needed by Zambians, while shops vandalised during political conflicts belonged to citizens trying to provide for their families.

“The person we insult, slander or falsely accuse because they wear different political colours is still our brother, our sister and our fellow citizen,” Mr Kalaba said.

He urged political parties and their supporters not to allow disagreements to turn them into enemies, saying Zambia’s unity should remain paramount.

“No political disagreement should make us enemies of one another,” he said.

Mr Kalaba also encouraged Citizens First supporters not to lose hope following the recently concluded elections, saying the party’s political journey would continue.

“And to our supporters in particular, this is not the time for despair. Our journey does not end with one election,” he said.

He said the party would now return to the grassroots to reorganise, listen to communities and strengthen its structures.

“Village by village. Ward by ward. Constituency by constituency. Province by province. We will build from the ground up,” Mr Kalaba said.

He said Citizens First would continue to base its politics on ideas, service and the vision of a better Zambia.

“As the CF, our politics has and will always be about ideas, service and the Zambia we want to leave behind,” he said.

Mr Kalaba said governments and political parties would inevitably change over time, but Zambia would remain.

“Governments, including the UPND government, will come and go. Political parties will rise and fall. But Zambia must remain,” he said.

“There is only one Zambia, and it belongs to all of us,” Mr Kalaba said, while wishing Zambians well and praying for God’s continued blessings upon the country.