Appeal for Peaceful Elections

Zambia is faced with many challenges to risk experiencing civil unrest from pre or post election violence. It must be noted that violence is a huge draw back on the socio-economic development of any society and our nation is not an exception. The recent bloody scenes displayed in both print and electronic media, majority of the victims being youth leaves much to be desired and must not only be condemned but preventive and remedial measures be taken by all stakeholders with immediate effect.

I wish to urge my fellow youths to desist from being used as perpetrators of acts of violence. Seeing that we youths are confronted with diverse challenges, our role is to critique and analyze the various party Manifestos to scrutinize which one addresses our hopes and aspirations.

It is sad that political parties have taken a casual approach on this important issue that has potential to disrupt the peace and unity we enjoy as a nation. The use of violence is a clear testimony that the ideologies of our various political parties are not embedded nor appreciated by the populace.

Violence as a means to intimidate or coerce support is a threat to our young democracy and elements of it must not be entertained.

I wish to appeal to the youths and the nation at large to draw inspiration from our founding fathers and what they stood for in the slogan, “One Zambia One Nation” and to Dr Kenneth Kaunda’s legacy to our generation in the song “tiyende pamodzi ndi mutima umo”.

Regardless of our party affiliation based on political interests, we all belong to one family and thus must uphold peace and stability we so desire.

Posterity will judge our generation harshly for our lack or failure of intent to conduct peaceful elections. Political parties must take steps beyond political rhetoric!!

In public interest,
Lumba, Timothy C.
Immediate past UNZASU President