LM demands urgent election indaba
By Mast Reporter
“TRY us and see how we shall deal with violence,” says Leadership Movement (LM) president Dr Richard Silumbe.
Commenting on the violence recorded so far—eight days before next week’s elections—Dr Silumbe said the anarchy is unacceptable and not
part of Zambian culture.
“We are not shocked ourselves because we have been talking against it, urging our people throughout the country to reject violence and its perpetrators. This is not the Zambia we want at all,” he said.
He warned that the violence exhibited in North-Western, Copperbelt, Lusaka, Southern, and Western Provinces must be dealt with right now, regardless of the political uniforms worn by those behind it.
“Zambia is at the crossroads, and if we decide to turn a blind eye to what is happening by failing to condemn and name and shame groups and individuals behind these atrocities being committed in the name of playing politics, then we have lost humanity as a people,” he said.
Dr Silumbe has urged the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), the Church, the international community, and other stakeholders to call for an urgent electoral indaba to address the violence before it gets further out of hand.
“This is our genuine view about these matters. We need to start talking to each other to address this issue before it is too late. Let’s not say ‘I wish I took the first step to address the violence.’ ECZ, the Church, the international community, and all of us should not turn a blind eye to what is happening. The damage done so far threatens the peace and unity of the country after the elections. We can stop it by holding an indaba,” he said.
Dr Silumbe urged Zambians to vote for the Leadership Movement in next week’s election if they want a united Zambia.
“We are ready to start afresh; we are ready to lead a united Zambia where violence will be denounced, rejected, and perpetrators held to account. We want a fair Zambia for everyone. What happened to our colleagues in Shibuyunji, Monze, Mongu, Luampa, and Kitwe should never happen to any of us again. This starts with us and should also end with us,” said Dr Silumbe.
Civil Society & Faith Leaders Voice Concern
Meanwhile, the Consortium of Civil Society for Good Governance and Constitutionalism has also voiced deep concern over escalating incidents of electoral violence across the country ahead of next week’s polls.
“We unequivocally condemn all acts of violence, intimidation, harassment, and disruption of political campaigns, regardless of who commits them,” said acting consortium spokesperson Clifton Chifuwe.
Chifuwe noted that video evidence, photographs, and reports from election monitors indicate a number of the incidents involve supporters and cadres of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND).
He said this conduct undermines Zambia’s democratic credentials and threatens the peaceful electoral environment that every citizen deserves.
“We acknowledge and commend President Hakainde Hichilema for publicly condemning electoral violence and reaffirming his commitment that Zambia should hold peaceful elections. His call on the Zambia Police Service to bring perpetrators to justice provides the political will necessary for law enforcement to act decisively,” he said.
He added that the Zambia Police should have nothing to fear in enforcing the law impartially, including arresting ruling party cadres or any other individuals found engaging in violence.
Chifuwe emphasized that the rule of law must prevail over political affiliation, urging all UPND leaders, officials, and members across the country to exercise restraint and provide responsible leadership.
He reminded political actors that violence has never won an election in Zambia.
“History teaches us that neither the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) nor the Patriotic Front (PF) was saved by political violence,” he said.
ZAFMO Call for Unity
Additionally, the Zambia Federation of Muslim Organisations (ZAFMO) has urged all Zambians to uphold peace, respect, unity, and mutual understanding as the country approaches the elections.
In a statement seen by The Mast, ZAFMO stated that elections should not become a source of hatred, violence, intimidation, or division.
“As our nation approaches the forthcoming elections, we call upon all citizens to uphold the values that have long defined Zambia: peace, respect, unity, and mutual understanding. Elections are an essential part of our democracy,” the organization said.
ZAFMO urged members of the public to conduct themselves with dignity both online and offline, encouraging citizens to reject all forms of violence, hate speech, tribalism, and misinformation.
