The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has welcomed the Peace Pact signed between the Patriotic Front (PF) and the United Party for National Development (UPND) in which the two parties commit to end political violence.
In a statement released to the media, NGOCC said that this was a welcome first step in the process of dialogue especially given the fact that the country has remained polarized after the 2016 General Elections.
NGOCC said that it has been deeply concerned with the high levels of intolerance and political violence in the recent past, especially perpetrated largely by the two main leading political parties.
“Political violence inhibits citizens from freely participating in the political activities of the country and therefore undermines the tenets of democracy,” read the statement.
NGOCC also said that, as regard promotion of gender equity and equality, violence, in all its forms, has continued to hamper women’s effective participation in politics and other decision-making positions, hence perpetuating inequalities at all levels.
“Therefore, the signing of the Peace Pact between the two political parties is a good step in the right direction in addressing the marginalization and vulnerability of women with regard to political participation. NGOCC however, hopes that the two parties will remain genuine and take concrete steps to ensure that they abide by the principles of the Peace Pact which should translate into violence being halted henceforth.”
The NGOCC statement concluded by urging the leaders of the two political parties, the Republican President Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu and the UPND president Mr. Hakainde Hichilema to set the pace and take lead in actualizing the pact.
“Without any concrete steps such as civility in language and unity of purpose by the leadership and stiffer punishment by the political parties for anyone engaged in violence, the vice will continue unabated. It is NGOCC’s expectation that the Republican President will direct the security wings, especially the police to deal decisively with any one engaging in any form of violence regardless of political affiliation.”
If Edgar Lungu is indeed the Commander in Chief and he cares for this country, there will be no political violence
We welcome any initiative to stop violence. It takes a bigger person to show restraint, we have not seen this from either of these violence oriented parties.
Zambia was so relatively peaceful before these two parties came into existence.
Mow that upnd is disarmed lets absorb them in pf and leave THAT ONE the fooolish ONE alone in upnd. I like this trick of mixing with the bloody thirsty vampires of the party fron southern province
Cadrelism has now become a full time employment…and its HH and Lungu promoting Laziness…all these strong young men can do better Jobs than just flashing party symbols…wearing military fatigues and they think thats how we can develop Zambia
Is this an anti inferno pact?
Peace is the most important requirement in any place, without peace you can’t eat, drink or sleep because your life is in constant danger. Even mental well being depends on peace.
This is a great initiative and one which must continue, being political opponents should not make us enemies of one another. One Zambia one nation! Well done UPND and PF.
Be Edgar should do same at state house, throw away all violent political advisors, despite being family friends.
He must not entertain any violence at all.he must carry on
with one Zambia one Nation.
UPND is a tribal and terrorist organisation. They want to take us back to uncivilization times which they display daily from their tribal chief and Mapatizya Formula enforcers Larry Mweetwa and his clan! Satan is a lier. Satan is under the feet of JESUS.
Broken record, people are talking about peace, there you go tribal and terrorist. Visiting Chaiinama will be for your own good, since prayers are not working. Everyday tribal and terrorist!
Let hh stand on pf ticket otherwise he may never see the inside of state house
“Political violence inhibits citizens from freely participating in the political activities of the country and therefore undermines the tenets of democracy,”
Zambia has never seen the levels of political violence , tribalisim and corruption as of now……
Violence: When your VP proclaims doctrines like “panga for panga”, your presidential advisor is William “Tekere” Banda-the OC, original cadre.
Tribalism: When a former Anglo American executive forms a political party and a particular region gives his party an almost 100% vote because of his tribe.
Corruption: I really wish we could get convictions not speculations and false accusations. We’ve been at it since FTJ in 2002….
How many times has Tom and Jerry signed a peace accord only to pee on it a moment later? For PF violence is a birth mark. UPND sleep with one eye open. If anything the opposition should be more vigilant because it’s either the PF has already sealed a deal with ECZ or have other plans. Mark my words with a highlighter.
I am not a prophet of doom but my analytical abilities acquired from reputable Universities with the University of Zambia being the foundation when it was a real University that is before 2000. Enrollment then was purely based on intellectual ability and not financial ability. You are now politically compromised. I may not be surprised to learn that you now assembly and sing the national anthem. I doubt if you still have (RUPO) Ruins Police Headquarters.
I sincerely hope this is finally THE END OF MEANINGLESS VIOLENCE.
UPND has been a violent party even before PF was formed. Remember Mufubwe, Mapatizya criminal acts against MMD. Their criminal activities have scaled up after the recruitment of GBM, Mwaliteta and William Banda.
Gbm Is a genius panga for panga has worked they’ve called a truce the cowards
We know how unprofessional the police have been, how corruption has played a part in the forceful usurpation of resources and a significant part of an unenlightened gullible population has been misled by thuggery in the guise of politics. Does this ‘pact’ address these? Was it even necessary when laws exist that should be executed to deal with those we know think they are above everything? Or shouldn’t we be mobilizing towards getting rid of primitive clueless governance?
I personally think Zambia needs an ‘intelligentsia’ to drag it, (even with some
screaming and kicking) into human development. But then, therein lies the dilemma. How do we get it’s remnants together – seeing as that in recent years, its further existence has been stifled by a very low…
.. quality of education
It will not work,pf are highly sofiscated people
It is easy to sign a peace pact but harder to keep the peace. We shall see if they’ve really buried their guns or if they’ll dig them up again when elections come.
As long as Zambia continues to be ruled as a Christian Nation, with the principles based on those of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-22), this nation is doomed. We are a Christian Nation that promotes all what is listed bin the above reading, Pastors. Bishops an Rev have been compromised preaching what they don’t do. us of condoms,for sex. The qualities of a Christian Nation are found in Gal. 5:23- 25. Our leader should know the true, Religious people who protected the poor are now worshiping the appointing authorities protecting salaries.
A temporary pact ?? What will happen after 26 JULY?? THE PF CAN continue WITH CANERGY ??
THIS JUST DEMONSTRATES THAT THE AGGRESSORS HERE ARE PF. PRESIDENT LUNGU ACTUALLY ENJOYS IT. WE HEAR HIM THREATEN HH THAT NKAMUCITA UBUBI, HIS CARDERS FOLLOW SUIT. SO PERSONALLY I DONT THINK THIS PEACE DEAL WILL WORK BECAUSE PRESIDENT LUNGU HAS NEVER SHOWED OR DEMONSTRATED WILLINGNESS TO END THE VIOLENCE. AND SOON KAMPYONGO WILL START SPONSORING THUGS IN SHIWA’NGANDU. THE BEST WAY TO END THIS IS PANGA FOR PANGA. THIS IS THE ONLY LANGIAGE PF UNDERSTANDS. SO PERSONALLY AM NOT DISARMING MY BULL DOGS. WE SHALL CONTINUE BEING VIGILANT