Unite Zambia, Ruto urges HH

…advises that political contests among leaders should never degenerate into national conflict or permanent divisions, says political stability, credible institutions, the rule of law and national unity are not merely democratic ideals but important foundations for economic prosperity

By BARNABAS ZULU

KENYAN President William Ruto has called on President Hakainde Hichilema to unite Zambia and avoid allowing political competition to create acrimony and enemies among citizens.

Speaking during President Hichilema’s inauguration ceremony yesterday, President Ruto said political contests should not degenerate into national conflict or permanent divisions.

Mr Ruto congratulated President Hichilema on beginning his second term and urged him to govern for all Zambians, regardless of how they voted in the election.

“Elections will produce winners and losers. Elections, some will celebrate, others will be disappointed. But when the contest is over, the nation must remain united,” Mr Ruto said.

He said democracy was not tested when people agreed, but when they disagreed, adding that elections should only determine who governs and not who belongs to a country.

“Elections are designed to settle who governs. They should never determine who belongs. They all belong equally to Zambia, and they must all have a place in the future. Political competition may divide choices. It must never divide our destiny,” President Ruto said.

He said he was confident that President Hichilema would use his new mandate to govern both those who supported him and those who did not.

He urged African politicians to compete vigorously without becoming enemies, disagree without destroying institutions and seek victory without excluding others.

“We must compete vigorously without becoming enemies. We must disagree without destroying anything. And we must seek victory without excluding. Our politics must never become more important than our countries,” President Ruto said.

He said political stability, credible institutions, the rule of law and national unity were not merely democratic ideals but important foundations for economic prosperity.

Mr Ruto warned that Africa could not industrialise if every election became a period of national uncertainty, saying businesses and investors required stable and trusted institutions.

“Our people do not vote merely for the privilege of voting again. They vote for work and incomes, for education and health care, for dignity and opportunity,” he said.

Mr Ruto also said Africa’s leaders had a responsibility to transform political freedom into economic freedom by using the continent’s natural resources to create wealth and opportunities for its people.

He said Kenya, which is scheduled to hold its own general election next year, was also travelling the same democratic path as Zambia.

“We therefore speak not as spectators, and certainly not as lecturers, but as fellow Africans travelling the same democratic path,” President Ruto said.

Ends.