The Southern Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes SACCORD has announced that it will hold a political summit amid at creating a platform for inter -party dialogue on political violence which is slowly becoming entrenched in the country’s political sphere.
The summit which will be held in conjunction with Zambia Centre for Inter-Party Dialogue (ZCID) in partnership with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung is meant for the country to came together and try to find the root causes as well as identify workable national strategies that could resolve these challenges.
In a statement released to the media SACCORD Executive Director Boniface Cheembe said the country’s Jubilee celebrations provides an opportunity for serious national reflection and introspection.
“Zambia will be celebrating its jubilee this year. Indeed the country has come a long way in achieving political and economic independence. While it is a time to make merry, it is also a time for serious national reflection and introspection.”
He added, ” the country still faces a number of challenges that require concerted efforts to surmount. Among these challenges is political violence which has negated efforts to consolidate and deepen democracy in the country.
“It is important that the country comes together to interrogate the causes of this violence, its effects and identify workable national strategies that could resolve these challenges.”
Mr. Cheembe further explained that the summit which is scheduled for 26 and 28th August 2014 at Protea hotel Arcades in Lusaka is expected to bring together senior members of political parties, civil society representatives and cooperating partners who will attend as observers.
