Lungu Skips Peace Accord Signing

On Wednesday political parties gathered at Mulungushi International Conference Centre to discuss the challenge of violence in relation to the upcoming elections.  

The event was attended by UPND Alliance presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema (HH) and his running mate Mutale Nalumango, in addition to many other opposition party presidents. However, the PF was represented by Secretary General Davis Mwila as President Lungu continues to tour the country under the guise of government business. 

During the event the parties gathered pledge to maintain and promote peace ahead of the elections and signed a peace pledge in support of this commitment. The pledge was signed by the Patriotic Front, United Party for National Development, the Socialist party, Democratic Party, United Nations Independence Party, Peoples Alliance for Change, Zambian United for Sustainable Development among others. 

The event was convened by the Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID), the Church Mother Bodies and the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ). Special representative of the Secretary General to the African Union, Hanna Tetteh, and Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland also expressed their support for the initiative. 

Commenting on the event HH stated, “The responsibility for bringing peace cannot be delegated or ignored. The responsibility for building a country where each person has a good job, a fair wage, and affordable food, cannot be delegated or ignored. This is the responsibility of leadership.”