President Mwanawasa has said that Zambians should not be surprised at his recent reconciliation with Patriotic Front Leader Michael Sata which he described as infamous following the skepticism that has surrounded it among various stakeholders.
He said the reconciliation is not a strange phenomenon as it is the normal historical manner in which Zambians have dealt with conflict amongst themselves.
Dr. Mwanawasa also noted that many Zambian historic bitter tribal quarrels and wars have now resulted into good inter tribal relationships that have united all the country’s different tribes into a nation of common values.
He said the reconciliation between the controversial opposition leader happened because the time had come for it to end in the interests of the nation.
Dr. Mwanawasa said the reconciliation was also in line with his appeal for peace and unity in his inaugural speech after being re-elected October 2006 for his final term in office.
He added that the gesture is also not aimed at gaining reward and praise as he is human and might have contributed to the political differences experienced during his Presidency.
Dr. Mwanawasa said the humility and magnanimity demonstrated by the PF leader is commendable as it shows that political parties in the country remain independent to compete for political office.
He added that the independence will also guarantee accountability in public office through checks and balances as a critical role that is traditionally played by opposition political parties.
Dr. Mwanawasa observed that the plenary assembly theme challenges the Christian world to translate the teachings of Jesus Christ into practical realities adding that reconciliation must be promoted in order to promote love.
He said engagement in dialogue whose out come is peaceful co-existence and socio-economic progress is one way to achieving love and unity.
Dr. Mwanawasa also said there is need to resolve the recent South African xenophobic attacks and the Zimbabwean political crisis.
He said it is a serious contradiction that while Christianity is growing in Africa, Africans have demonstrated passionate hate for each other as demonstrated by the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The President said Zambia is no exception to the uphill battle that Africa is facing in ensuring justice in governance processes.
He said Zambian cannot claim to entrench justice in governance in the face of high poverty levels especially in rural areas of the country.
Dr. Mwanawasa said although the church and the state may sometimes disagree both institutions are intertwined and should strengthen their partnership in the fight against poverty and the life threatening HIV/AIDS.
He also noted that although the poverty situation in Africa still exists, the situation is slowly improving though it will take time for the current positive economic indicators to translate into the desired results for the people to directly benefit.
Dr. Mwanawasa has since commended the Catholic Church for their contribution in the Education and health sectors and the advocacy for debt cancellation through the Jubilee 200 campaign.
He attributed the current economic growth in the country as being partly as a result of debt cancellation the country received.
Meanwhile, President Mwanawasa has also appealed to the Catholic church and other churches to prioritize the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in their evangelization and implementation of social teachings.
And speaking earlier AMECEA Chairperson Archbishop Paul Bachenga said the assembly is united by ideals aimed at addressing key issues in the region.
Archbishop Bachenga commended President Mwanawasa for strongly standing and advocating for peace in the region.
He said the situation in Zimbabwe has deprived citizens of their human dignity which should not be traded with personal interests.
Archbishop Bachenga however assured the President that AMECEA will continue to play the prophetic role and enhancing peace and justice in the region.
He also said that AMECEA will also continue to pray with and for Zimbabweans as they try to resolve their political crisis and called upon its leaders to resolve the crisis amicably.
And Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) Chairperson Bishop George Lungu said one of the ways the church in Zambia is pursuing peace and justice for the people is through supporting the fight against corruption.
Bishop Lungu said corruption breeds impunity which results in poverty as most of the wealth is owned by a few selfish individuals who go unpunished.
Zambia is hosting the AMECEA plenary assembly for the third time with the first being in 1970 and 1992.
The spectacular event attracts over 200 delegates comprising of Archbishops, Bishops and other catholic church Clergy men and women from the AMECEA region which include Angola, Uganda, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya among others.
Among the notables that attended the official opening of the plenary assembly are Patriotic Front Leader Michael Sata, Cabinet Ministers and other government officials who accompanied President Mwanawasa.
ZANIS/CM/AM/ENDS.
This makes some good reading and discovery of oneself as a nation.It is also so timely that if the Zimbabweans could take a leaf they would also go a long way in developing themselves as civilised people.king Cobra has also gained popularity after this gesture going by the elections in Milanzi.However Sata should still maintain his opposition stamina for the gvt to be always alert on what they are doing.I think Sata is a good leader but even better without his rude unwarrented outbursts.Since he has cut this out i will follow his party with interest.
The reconciliation initiated by our two statesmen has a place in both our political dispensation and culture of coexistence as a people.The benefits out of such magnanimous leadership is for the common good and will strengthens our nationhood. We know that when the elephants battle, its the grass that suffers. We cannot deny that H.E Dr. L.P Mwanawasa SC our head of state and His Honor Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata are institutions of indispensable following. There public positions have the propensity to build or destroy. Lets embrace the reconciliation.
Their public positions have the propensity to build or destroy.
Nice words Mr President LPM SC (Honourary Doc.). The church and state have to be two separate wings. The two do not have to be combined at any particular time. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ made this position clear when He said give Ceasar whatever belongs to Ceaser and God, the Creator, what belongs to Him.
As for Hon. Sata, please keep it up on your reconciliation track. I am hopeful you can still extend it (reconciliation) to the rest of your PF friends whom you wish to sideline for good.
Ok…ok…sure! …sure! These are surely of the most encouraging sentiments I’ve ever heard coming from our big man, throughout his term! Ok mwalasa ba Prezdo.
What’s in for “Anyandulez” like Chiluba, chungu, etc … and the other cockroaches?
I hope you’ll get someone able to expose you the way you exposed these anyandulez in the name of anti-corruption. Make sure you cleanup your mess before it’s too late; and reconciliation is the best start!
Sata is a cadre who thinx with his mouth and his type have no place in modern politix
Brothers and sisters let’s pray and hope that the situation remain like this until 2011.
This reconcilliation is indeeded good and be supported by all.Unfortun
Lusakatimes,y have u cut my
Reconcilliation from what? These two were never a marriage or couple of common purpose.I take this whole spectacle to be just recognition of the importance of open dialogue inspite of differing views. As such, if that is what it is, let it accommodate other opposition without having to make headlines for one individual no matter his true intentions.It is a good first step but not reconcilliation otherwise just merge your Parties.
#10 call it what you like but we are all agreed that its good for leaders to stop calling each other names but dialogue for what and how to bring development for our nation.A situation like Zimbabwe is shameful and that is why we as zambians are happy that these two leaders have agreed to work together to improve the nation.A few weeks ago Sata wrote a proposal to LPM that offered ways of procuring hospital machinery for our health service.This is for the benefit of all Zambians and not him as a an individual.This is what we need rather than insults that had dominated their relationship before.Please lets applaud good acts and condenm bad ones.So far this is brilliant and we can build on it.
Hello Br.Hehehe #4 hope you had a good Sabath.From what you have said,so what is your position on the “Christian Nation” phenomena?
Off topc people.
Please help. What has happened to live radio streams on Coopernet? What has one got to do listen live now?
To Mwanawasa it is reconciliation and I believe him to an extent ..to Sata it is a survival gimmick.I am yet to know if this reconciliation is personal or for national benefit. Anyone who can trust Sata to honor his word and obligation need to be examined in their heads.
#12, Thanks for the Sabbath hope in you posting and concern in genaral about me, hhehhehhehhe.
The Zambia as a ‘Christian Nation’ tag is good. But let us not use Christianity or the Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to advance our ulterior motives.
Matthew 15 + KJV Bible
Mat 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with [their] lips; but their heart is far from me.
Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.
Have a great day you all.
Guys, do you know the true meaning of Christian Nation? It means all leaders should be christian as one qualification at all levels,i.e. ward, constituency even presidency. If this is truly a christian nation, you cannot have leaders like Sha…fu…(what ever his name).
The Bishops should be able to annoint all those to hold public office, and they should be consulted in most of the decisions. If we do not agree to this, then the best is to remove the “Christian Nation” tag from our constitution otherwise it becomes a mockery.
Well this reconcilliation is not strange because Mr Mwanawasa used public money to save a rival’s life. The rival thinks because the President has used the taxpayers’ money to save him then he is a good man inside. Sata judges Mwanawasa by how far the president will go to misuse taxpayers’ money to buy Sata’s face. There is of course nothing strange in this because that is the usual modus operandi of most Zambian or African politicians As long as public funds are misused for powerful individual’s ends noone sees anything wrong with that. Cry the beloved continent
Sata is BS.
Goog Sabbath????I have entered a different rest(Sabbath) since coming to know the Lord.Hebrews tells me that there is a rest from all your works i.e worries that one enters when they become children of God.As of regarding one day special.I would rather honour The LORD everyday.Others people in the medical field or anyone who must work on Saturday cannot be accepted.Or shall they just throw away their stesthoscopes?
I belong to the new and better covenant which speaks of better things.You guys need to read and study Hebrews .
# 6. I think you are out of your mind, just to correct any man is free to critize the govt when things are not moving right. When dealing with national matters, do not harbor hate and bitterness in your heart. I believe sata, can equally do a good job as levy, may be even better.Try expand your reasoning, before you make any criticism.
# 6. I think you are out of your mind, just to correct any man is free to critize the govt when things are not moving right. When dealing with national matters, do not harbor hate and bitterness in your heart. I believe sata, can equally do a good job as levy, may be even better.Try expand your reasoning, before you make any criticism.
Now that the shepherd is caged, what happens to the sheep???
Why others think so negative on the reconciliation between LPM and Sata?We need to rejoice and pray for good reconciliation to all our leaders in Zambia, from there then we will develop our country without fail.To develop we need peace,unity and stability.
The reconciliation is leaving a lot of Zambians in a dilema of which leader to support because its like PF and MMD have become one. Lets look upto UPND for a difference!!