As Zambia goes to the polls on Thursday August 12, the Catholic Bishops of Zambia have called on political parties to embrace peace.
Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) President Archbishop Ignatius Chama has said there is need for political parties to denounce any form of violence because there is only one Zambia.
“Zambia can only remain peaceful if there is political will by the political party leaders. There is need for peaceful, fair and creditable elections,” he said.
Archbishop Chama, who is also Archbishop of Kasama, said this in his homily at the National Ecumenical Prayers for Peaceful Elections in Lusaka recently.
And at the same occasion Vatican Representative, His Excellency Archbishop Gianfranco Gallone prayed for peace in Zambia.
Meanwhile, Archbishop of Lusaka, Most Rev. Alick Banda has urged political leaders and Zambians to live in peace as this is an attribute of God.
“Anyone who tries to bring about peace without God labours in vain,” Archbishop Banda says in his statement published recently.
The Archbishop expressed worry following the heightened spates of violence witnessed in some parts of the country as the country prepares to go to the polls.
Zambia is holding general elections to elect the President, Members of Parliament and other civic leaders.