LET’S CALM DOWN – M’membe
…M’membe calls for dialogue and healing
By Adrian Mwanza
ZAMBIANS must stop the anger emanating from the outcome of the recent general election from escalating but quickly embark on the process of healing, Socialist Party (SP) president Dr Fred M’membe has said.
Dr M’membe, who was one of the opposition presidential candidates, appealed to all leaders and citizens in all their diversities and complexities to open the door to honest and peaceful dialogue immediately to put the country back on the path to unity.
Tension has gripped the nation following events in the aftermath of the August 13 elections.
“We must stop the anger from escalating. Escalation will not heal our wounds; it will only make them deeper. I urge everyone to step back and stay calm. Stop the escalation, stop the insults, stop the fights, and protect one another,” Dr M’membe said in a message to the nation.
He despite despite differences emanating from divergent opinions, there was a need to prefer peace and tolerance.
“Our differences are real, but our shared homeland is greater than our divisions. Let us put down our anger. Let us choose peace, tolerance and accommodation.
I call on all leaders and citizens in all their diversities and complexities to open the door to honest and peaceful dialogue right now. Talk, do not escalate. Together, we can protect our nation,” Dr M’membe said.
“I have lived for more than 60 years but I have never experienced tensions and divisions in the country like the way it is now.”
Dr M’membe said he was troubled by what was happening in the nation, noting signs of despair and helplessness.
He said was he was commenting on the tension in the country with a very troubled heart.
“I have been around for more than six decades, but I have never experienced tensions and divisions like this. Despair and helplessness are starting to set in. People don’t seem to have anywhere to turn to,” Dr M’membe said.
He was disappointed that most leaders had either been discredited or compromised.
“Religious leadership, traditional leadership, and political leadership have been undermined and discredited in so many ways to give the nation credible, and impartial voices that can be listened to by the great majority of our people in difficult times like these,” Dr M’membe said.
He said Zambia was facing the hardest times now, as the pain, fear and anger kept tearing apart communities.
“I am not neutral, and I am not pretending or claiming to be. I belong to a political apparatus. But I am a patriot. I love my country. And love for the country is not love for the rivers, lakes, plains, forests, escarpments, and so on and so forth. It’s love for people and their well-being. Our country is facing a moment of deep pain, fear and anger. This tension hurts us all, and it threatens our families, our communities, and our future,” Dr M’membe said.
