The EU delegation in Zambia says it is deeply concerned with the recent incidents of politically motivated violence in the country.
The delegation said in a statement that the absence of violence in the country is key to having a free, fair and peaceful elections.
The delegation further notes that preventing incidents of violence will strengthen the country’s reputation as a peaceful, stable and tolerant nation as well as a its stance as the destination of choice for foreign investment and tourism.
Below is the full statement issued to the media by the EU.
The European Union Delegation issues the following statement in agreement with the EU Heads of Mission in Zambia.
The EU Delegation and the Heads of Mission of EU Member States are deeply concerned by the recent incidents of politically motivated violence in Zambia. The absence of violence is required to guarantee the Zambian people their democratic rights to free, fair and peaceful elections.
Moreover, preventing such incidents will strengthen Zambia’s international reputation as a peaceful, stable and tolerant country and its stance as a destination of choice for foreign investments and tourism.
The EU Delegation and the Heads of Mission of EU Member States appeal to the leaders of all political parties to come together to make a firm and public commitment to reject violence, thus fulfilling the expectations of the peace-loving Zambian people who reject violence in all its forms.
The EU Delegation and the Heads of Mission of EU Member States call upon the Authorities to adopt a policy of zero tolerance towards all attempts by so-called party cadres to solve political differences by resorting to violence, to thoroughly investigate each case of political violence, and to bring to justice all perpetrators, regardless of their political affiliation.
tell kambwili and his thugs that Zambia siya anyina..we all belong to this great land..pF will come and go..
The proper term here is State Sponsored violence. you can not have a young girl being stripped naked by PF thugs while police are watching and 4 days later…no arrests. The Commander in Chief, Edgar Lungu is failing at his duties
Zambians let us wake up. Let all PF leaders be taken to ICC. this is stup.id and no leader should tolerate what is happening. Lungu have failed Zambians.
UPND PLSE don’t forget you have William Banda the most dangereous and most violent cadre he is behind all this we all know for sure although is under desguise.
In as much as political violence is bad, the EU deligation does not qualify to lecture us on thís subject. How many people have died as a result of their reckless wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Tunisia, Lybia e.t.c? Thís problem will be only solved by us and not these hypocrites.
Maybe they should also be concerned with violence at the Republican party rallies where Donald Trump is openly supporting violence and is offering to pay legal fees for any of his supporters who punches any one who disagrees with him. There has been more injuries at Donald Trump rallies than there has been in any Zambian political rally. The EU has been quiet about violence in the USA but want to lecture us.
Concur
Stop thinking like Kambwili…..I knew that some PF supporter will mention this. So in your small head you think it is ok for PF and police to be violent because there is violence during Trump’s rallies? Do you even know the background on that violence?
@Abazana Chindo,
What nationality are you? How old are you? So, according to you it is okay for our Vice-President (who should know better as a lady) AND the Police to watch your sister or your mother get attacked and stripped naked by PF thugs AND DO NOTHING because it turns out some dumb aspiring candidate in USA with a very low IQ by the name of Trump is encouraging his supporters to be violent? Is this some kind of mental illness or just plain inferiority complex in overdrive?
Abazan, because they the U N did not condemn the violence at that fool Trumps rallies you think it is ok here? You are still colonising yourself thinking it s done in America so it should be ok here. By the way, the eurobond you and your friends are squandering comes from Europe and not from Trump s country.
You are telling lies about violence at Donald Trump’s rallies. Any attempts at violence are quickly contained by the police at those rallies unlike in Zambia where the police are impotent in the face of violence by PF thugs. The EU has to lecture you because you behave like wild animals.
how concerned are they when they are encouraging violence in the background?They are doing this by entertaining irresponsible opposition in Zambia by hoisting them in forum.This is playing double standards.They think of safety of opposition, not members of the ruling party, example attach on Inonge’s family and this has died a natural death.Bamukukulu
@ Abazana Chindo….Oh my God, you such a Damn Azz, with such a low IQ…you must be from a Zoo somewhere.
Very sorry to hear of disturbances in your city. I know very little about how bad it is because I do not live there.
Unless you are watching the news in the US daily from many sources it may be easy to get your facts wrong. Trump is not supporting violence or offering to pay for punches thrown. That story has been distorted beyond recognition. Do not rely on most reports that are simply political misinformation intended to get people to stirred up. Yes, there are thousands of people attending and yes, opposition groups are organizing and paying people to go protest. They are there to prevent Trump from speaking. One in Chicago had to be cancelled because so many were sent to make trouble. So far I know of only one protester who was being sent out for rude behavior and getting hit with…
The violence in Zambia is state sponsored, the police and PF thugs are out there to beat and intimidate the opposition parties.
The Zero tolerance call is accepted and seconded. However the EU visitors by backing their much criticised Head of Missions is undiplomatic and is a provocative conduct. I hope they took a moment to read Tayali’s article last week, because he spoke for all patriotic citizens who will not bow to foreign intervention in our Democracy. The tacit suggestion that current gov’t may be failing in that is unacceptable in the face of arrests of party Leaders perpetrating violence through Malitia. ALL parties especially UPND and PF must adhere to peaceful and orderly conduct. I would appeal to all PF Youths to avoid all provocations and not provoke any incidents themselves. Today timely as is UPND policy, Banda and HH releaseD criticism of gov’t, on the back of EU and it’s Missions…
united party for national destruction is known for violence, they fought mmd when mmd was in power, they have forgotten they formula they brooded and hatched at mapatizya,bamukukulu
Let us all say NO to Chagwa Lungu’s sponsored, bred, manufactured and spawned violence all meant to secure a presidency he is watching slip through his fingers.
As for me and my clan, we shall resolutely defend ourselves if attacked in coming months by any hooligans. And my sizeable arsenal of …….(figure it out yourself) will not just loaf in the gun safe!! Kaleza kakung’ambe ingati ushusha…..
Today timely as is UPND policy, Banda and HH releaseD criticism of gov’t, on the back of EU and it’s Missions. To be relevant in Zambian Politics you must be patriotic and not use foreign strength in Zambia. It goes against the spirit of Independence we won from these same people. Zambians must split this message in half, accept the call for non violence in politics but must not accept the imposed authority the EU has given itself. They should work with our gov’t not criticise them through missions. Tayali’s message to them is far much more relevant to Zambian citizens. Do not become a ploy for desperate people.
I would say also that the UK is being duplicitous in joining this , after all they are at war with the same EU institution on grounds that it goes too far and intervenes in UK’s sovereignty to extent they want out. How can Ambassadoress Jones be among the Heads of Missions carrying out a similar interference the UK us campaigning against?
Violence and suffering is real and faced by Zambians all the time at the Hands of PF, this is nothing to do with the UK or EU or Donald trump…our pipo live through this violence every day. We are talking about Zambia as witnessed by foreign missions.
@Patriot Abroad
Can a Leopard change its spots, nor an Ethiopian his skin? The Bible says, Nay.
The oasis, factory, defence, reservoir and launching pad of violence is no other than Edgar Lungu. Violence delivered the PF presidency to him on a platter and he avoided election and by acclamation attained through brute intimidation he was crowned as PF supremo. Then through that incestuous consent judgment before the altar of Judge Mungeni (now rewarded with Consitutional Court VP) he was laundered to stand for Republican President.
Lungu is beating the path long trodden by despots like Mugabe and Museveni to grind down and obliterate opposition by State sponsored hit squads. He is not referred to as Chief Warlord for nothing. He is Southern Africa’s Sanko or Taylor in blossom…
@abansala chindo u do not knw usa politics bro. keep away.
It is the EU Delegation and the Heads of Mission of EU Member States in Zambia, and not in the US, speaking naimwe! Why don’t people want to acknowledge that there is something wrong with what has been going on, especially going to the extent of stripping a girl?
WHEN THE HONOR OF ZAMBIA AS A PEACEFUL COUNTRY IS DESTROYED, CREDIT WILL BE TO OUR CURRENT POLITICIANS AND THE CURRENT WIND OF ZAMBIAN POLITICS. TO RESTORE THAT HONOR WILL BE DIFFICULT. ICIBEMBA CHITILA ATI, TUBATWALILE ABENE BAKAYONAWILE. THIS IN TERMS OF MARRIAGE. AS A COUNTRY, WE ARE ON THE VERGE OF DESTROYING OURSELVES. TIME TO WORK UP FROM SLUMBER
Bane lets be real for once. We are sacrificing the peace we have enjoyed for years. Dont think when war starts only ECL will have Asernals to attack. Oppositions parties get sponsored also, so lets not start something that we cannot quench. Dont forget also that not all the police force and Army supports lungu, lets not sacrifice the love, peace and unity we enjoy as Zambians. Most of these bloggers are in the diaspora and may create tension, Politicians always escapes leaving citizens crushing one another its not good. Lets love one another for governments will come and go according to the choices people makes.
correct, yewe!!!!
please you see now foreign nationals are the people telling you what to do Lungu and your peaople.
Hats off to the EU Delegation and EU Heads of missions for speaking out against State sponsored violence using borrowed money. For the vice-President and the Police to sit and watch a fellow woman being attacked AND STRIPPED NAKED sends a clear message that needs to be questioned. That woman is my mother, she is my Aunt, she is my sister, she is my niece.
I pay TAX in UK and I vote in UK. So I am very glad that my representatives I voted for not only facilitate leading my money (Tax) to my Country Zambia in times of need, but ALSO stands up and speaks when my money is being misused. E.g. State sponsored violence.
@cactus you ve missed the point. My point is why should EU lecture us on violence when same things are happening in the US and they keep quiet. As usual because of your inferiority complex you see nothing wrong. When its done by white pipo its ok only when black pipo do it. I hate violence but i wish the EU would also lecture the US about it. @ckd i know enough about US politics and i ve watched Trump offering to pay legal fees for any one one who beats his non supporters if that does not warrant EU condemnation then we dont need their lecture.@bufi tuutu EU delegates need to stop the violence against migrants in europe before they come to teach us. We are a sovereign country so they should just shut up
You claim to know enough about US politics yet your comment does not reflect this. Have you noticed how any instance of violence in US politics is strongly condemned by the leadership regardless of who the perpetrators are? Now compare this with Chagwa’s selective comments on violence. He has been deafeningly silent about PF orchestrated violence. You cannot deny this.
I think the point @Chindo is making @cyberJ is the same that Tayali made on behalf of Patriots. All countries get into conflict from time to time internally, and must be allowed to put their house in order without undue interference externally. It’s unacceptable to use bi- lateral agreements and IMF power position to push their agenda in Zambia.
Please remember UK AND Irish IRA. Bombs in London, and Irish on Irish violence. Their internal violence did not even compare to ours. UK is being duplicitous and ‘colonial-mongering’ to coin a phrase. Shame on UK. What is the UK doing here, even the BBC paying homage to HH is International Criminal act aimed at destabilising poorer countries. Where was democracy/ self rule for the Irish then. It’s a lost opportunity for the UK to…
It’s a lost opportunity for the UK to have lead with smarter counsel to Zambia.
Cyberz .Trump has not condemned the violence and the police have not made any arrests despite videos showing a man in a hat punching anti trump supporters
The same Trump that said Africa needs to be recolonised because of selfish leaders?
Today i was at the Judiciary accounts office and found a landlord complaining of the Judiciary department of not paying rentals for the Judges and magistrates around Zambia for the past 3 months .The man i found said he is evicting the tenant .
@12. Abazana Chindo,
“My point is why should EU lecture us on violence when same things are happening in the US and they keep quiet?.” ?? Are you are serious?
Any normal adult reading your comments can see the tale tell signs that you are immature.
Let me break it down and keep it simple. Here is WHY:-
1. I pay Tax in UK and I vote in UK. My MEP (Member of European Parliament) is doing what I voted him to do, i.e. monitor use of my money prudently by helping during needy times (e.g. loans to Countries like mother Zambia), and not allow my money to be used for State sponsored violence, e.g. attacking and stripping naked Abazana’s mother or sister in public.
2. Same thing happening in the USA?? .. When did the USA come to EU to borrow and how much has USA borrowed from EU to…
Cont’d… from EU to supplement USA Budget?
I have lived, worked and studied in the USA. I am talking from experience. Clearly you, my ignorant friend, know very little about US Politics.
N/B- Your attempt to mislead the readers is noted. (Unless your IQ is as low as Trump’s you know very well that chap who punched a protester at Trump’s rally WAS arrested very quickly. But have those PF thugs who attacked and STRIPPED YOUR SISTER NAKED on Youth Day been arrested? ).
@Cactus look at my argument below in the same spirit as @Chindo. He is correct in the comparator he was making. Living in USA does not give you authority over other contribution from a general example point of view. Clearly in this particular example given, your living in USA would only be relevant if you were present at the rally and had inside information that dispels the fact that no action was taken. Now try understanding from my comparator of UK and Irish IRA.
Hipocritics !!
Cactus immaturity is believing just because the EU gives us grants then they have the right to lecture us. Do you realize the same grant they send to Africa is the same resources they plundered from us during colonisation. Inferiority complex has dogged Africans to the level we worship the white man. I understand you are squating in Europe therefore you support your masters. You claim your so called MEP delivers as he is supposed to. Please bro wake up. Dont make Europe like its heaven. For your own information the so called stripping was just grabbing of a chitenge and the lady was fully dressed.
ditch you black panther inferiority complex, this is the year 2016 not 1962.
for how long are going to be blaming whites and stand on your own feet, 100 yrs ?, 500 yrs ?.
That is why you have cholera outbreaks ravaging the capital 50 yrs after the whites left….
All countries get into conflict from time to time internally, and must be allowed to put their house in order without undue interference externally. It’s unacceptable to use bi- lateral agreements and IMF power position to push their agenda in Zambia.
Please remember UK AND Irish IRA. Bombs in London, and Irish on Irish violence. Their internal violence did not even compare to ours. UK is being duplicitous and ‘colonial-mongering’ to coin a phrase. Shame on UK. What is the UK doing here, even the BBC paying homage to HH is International Criminal act aimed at destabilising poorer countries. Where was democracy/ self rule for the Irish then. It’s a lost opportunity for the UK to have lead with smarter counsel to Zambia.
They are STUPID… only interested in divide and rule. I bet they are afraid of our friendship with China and wants to come and sing human rights in Zambia…. they are together with America the chief abusers of human rights.. Just look at what they have done throughout modern history, it just sickens me.
Those images we see on social media of undressed girls, people being urinated in their mouths and bloodied Zambians are nothing to to with Donald trump, the EU, UK or anywhere else. It is all to do with PF.
Zambians reject this PF brutality and you trying to say it happens every where else just wont work…
Zambia shall be free after August.
I second that Mr. Chewwe, all that these muzunguS do is stay in plashy Zambian hotels, and after 4-7 days head back to their Europe and write a lengthy desk report on ‘human rights abuses in Zambia’ without even going to qualitative explore the root causes of these abuses example.
They became in just week ‘EXPERTS’ on human rights in Zambia.
NOW Try do it the other way AROUND, and send a Ms Ha… Ms Daka, Mr. Phiri, Mr. Mwansa or a Mr. Hamateyo to conduct a human rights abuses RESEARCH in Europe and write bidding report in 4 days. then try and present it as expert knowledge. they wont even listen to YOU. True experts are Zambians,natives of any land and not these malabishi.
”…True experts are Zambians,natives of any land and not these malabishi…”
Yes and we see Zambians getting their butts kicked and bloodied heads by PF every day….
every phone has a camera, and their is social media…we see the PF brutality every day
Zambia is a sovereign country, right? That is not questionable. Question is, must those with power suppress others, and no-one interfere because of that sovereignty? No! Let the people vote peacefully for whoever they want, the same way they have voted peacefully in past. Do not force through violemce.
SINKAMBA WISDOM – I feel sorry for people who cant think. Right now you are begging for funds from IMf and other rich nations with cash to spend. Lately you have started lining up for nshima. All because PF thugs have messed up the economy. No fuel, CBU & UNZA closed. shame on you PF.
Let people advise you and get it right . PF violence is de-campaigning you big time. Even chickens have started boycotting PF.