President Edgar Lungu has called for enhanced dialogue among the church and other political players ahead of the August General elections.
President Lungu said dialogue is the only way the country can resolve disputes and differences.
The Head of State stated that no country has a perfect electoral process stating that it is important to learn from experiences on how better to improve the system for the benefit of all.
“Sometimes you might not appreciate that your colleagues have valid issues that are affecting them and if you do get to interact with them you will learn that they mean well after all,” he said.
ZANIS reports that the President said this when church mother bodies paid a courtesy call on him at State House today.
President Lungu said everyone has a role to play including the clergy, families and political leaders in the fight against violence ahead of this year’s elections.
He has called on everyone to observe the motto of ‘One Zambia One Nation’ in order to preserve peace and unity in the country.
And Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia Chairperson, Paul Mususu said peace must prevail at all costs.
Bishop Mususu said the church will engage all stakeholders and preach peace to everyone so that it continues to prevail in the country.
We want to go to all stakeholders such as the Electoral Commission of Zambia, the Police as well as the grassroots because that is where violence happens,” he said.
Yesterday, President Edgar Lungu appealed to all Patriotic Front (PF) supporters to desist from violence. President Lungu has further urged all PF supporters to be peace makers as Zambians do not want any form of vehemence.
The Head of State made this call shortly before launching the National Livestock Field Day in Namwala District of Southern Province.
The President said he appreciates his supporters and that of the party but stressed the need to uphold peace and unity the country has enjoyed.
“No violence, Zambians do not want violence. If we fight they will fire us because what they want is peace so let’s be peace makers,” he urged.
It’s hard to believe a man who almost always speaks opposite of what he truly means.
Who would trust a thief. This dull chap is a pathological liar and a hypocrite.
The corrupt fraud convict moron layer was blocking UPND from opening a youth center while on the same day overseeing extreme animal brutality at the pf secreaterate when his thugs were fighting………
Don’t belive a word this crook says……
Statement like these coming from the head of state should trouble all branch of government. Especially when he is confronted.
It’s not disrespecting Zambia Intelligence Community, but what are they brief him on? This is reason Third term, making us look bad.
“It is rare to hear of an African state forcing a superpower to recall its ambassador but Zambia has managed to do it.
“We don’t want such people in our midst. We want him gone,” President Lungu said.”-BBC
Telltale sign of fragile state. PF time out, third term You are making us look bad.
The problem with Lungu is that he doesn’t mean what he says. He is a hypocrite or a wolf in a sheepskin. U trust Lungu at your own peril. PF Cadres threatened a lady at Ministry of Works with death but there was no word from Lungu. More than 50 Zambians were gassed to death but there was no apology from ECL. Recently PF Cadres burnt UPND Regalia but there was no condemnation from Lungu for that thuggery. There was an intra Party fracas at the PF Secretariat but instead of disciplining the fighting PF Cadres he found a scapegoat in IG Kanganja. To end violence by PF Cadres ECL must disband PF Militias and Vigilantes. The writing is on the wall.
In the morning you want dialogue just to fool donors. In the evening you are back to your old ways of violence and intimidation. Who can trust you now? Not even the church.
Does anyone know wht Edgar Lungu means here?
The dialogue should be between PF and the opposition!
What is required is church-led dialogue between the main political parties resulting in clear and firm commitments to observe the rule of law particularly during this electioneering period. Bishop Mususu, please tells us that the main outcome of the meeting was not this wishy-washy “the church and political players should dialogue” that LT has given us!!!
Why does he always talk about violence? He is indirectly inciting his PF friends to engage in violence.
If he refuses to talk, it’s a problem. If he calls for dialogue, it’s still a problem. What else do they want the man to do? All conflicts that exist around the world have one common factor: no dialogue.
MAYBE HES SEEN THE WRITING ON THE WALL AND NOW WANTS DIALOGUE
THANKS BUT NO THANKS WE ARE ALL FINE THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING
YOU DESPATELY NEED DIALOGUE WITHIN YOUR PARTY
OH BY THE WAY PLEASE WHY THE DIESEL SHORTAGE IN A LOT OF TOWNS ???
OPPOSITION TO BLAME ???????????
D0g for president, fiscal matter for a brain, this is what u get for a president… Sh1t
What is the Agenda of the the Dialogue Mr President? Last time it was proposed that such Dialogue be chaired by the 3 Church Mother Bodies but u and your Party PF refused such Dialogue led by the Church. Zambia wants free, fair, credible and peaceful Elections in 2021. So Parties contesting the Elections must agree to a Code of Conduct. Parties must control their Cadres to ensure there is no interference and violence in the Elections. We want to see peaceful Campaigns and a level playing field. ZNBC and State Media should also cover Opposition Parties as well as PF the Ruling Party.
That’s my boss .wisdom after wisdom unlike that tribal f00l hh who has people posting childish nonsense on his faycebook. He is definitely an under 5.
Everyone is asking where I am. I am busy preparing for elections. Am on the ground you people. This is my busiest time, when I work so hard to ensure PF victory for our people. Bare with me.
No press conference!
@ Chamu. Ifintu nafikosa for ECL. Last year Dialogue for all Political Parties chaired by the 3 Church Mother Bodies was proposed but ECL spurned it. Now with 3 Months b4 August 12 Elections ECL is pretending to want Dialogue. The problem is that nobody trust ECL. He will be negotiating for peaceful Elections during the Day but at Nite his PF Cadres, Militias and Vigilantes will be causing havoc. Recently rival PF Factions fought each other at the PF Secretariat but no Action has been taken on the Culprits. Opposition Political Parties should be wary of ECL proposed Dialogue. The Man is untrustworthy. Whatever he says the opposite is true.
Please ignore the attention hungry UK Based troll and impostor …it has no affiliation to ruling party in Zambia.
If this two faced donkry Edgar wanted dialogue he would have called upon the churches to organise it but he is not genuine…only the gullible would fall for it.
@Nine Chale ..you seem to be contradicting yourself. You are standing for him when he refuses to talk and also when he suggests dialogue? Where do you stand over a leader who vacillates like that? How many times has dialogue been suggested and he has turned a blind eye? Now he suggests it only because (I suspect) a section of the church have refused to do his bidding (to be bought with ‘silver pieces’ of the so-called ’empowerment) Why don’t you criticise him for having denied dialogue on many occasions previously?
It will carry more weight if you address the Nation on this pressing issue your Excellency. People are hungry to hear from you in their living rooms.
It’s a joke ECL calling 4 Dialogue. In the past ECL spurned Dialogue led by the Church. What has changed now? In any case what kind of Dialogue can u have with a Chameleon? ECL’s record shows he is untrustworthy and thuggish himself. ECL wants Dialogue now to hoodwink the Opposition and the Church into believing that he is now serious about Dialogue. He is not and the Opposition should be careful dealing with a trickster. The writing is on the wall.
Healthy dialogue is the key for healthy democracy. It is commendable that despite uncouth criticism, by the opposition, President Lungu is open for dialogue with them. That is the quality of a great leader.
Mr President, when you say that sometimes you might not appreciate that your colleagues have valid issues that are affecting them and if you do get to interact with them you will learn that they mean well after all, it shows how you think about the nation. It is the biggest indicator that for you, nation is above everything. But at the same time, I tend to think, are we expecting too much from those who are known to be traitors?
You are NOT SERIOUS about dialogue. What happened, Edgar Lungu and main opposition leader, Hakainde Hichilema agreed to meet and dialogue to end their rivalry following the last disputed presidential election. Secretary-General Patricia Scotland told a media conference in capital Lusaka in 2017, she had met the two warring leaders at different times to discuss the possibilities of finding a common ground in order to end political differences between the two.
Don’t take us for granted!
The nay sayers will never be happy, whatever ECL does. So it is better to ignore them and continue with nation building. It is good that he has appealed for the dialogue. This is how it should be.
@Shawa Great. But none of the points hold any truth. You need to open up and speak something about violence by UPND. Corruption by Hakainde Hichilema. How about some sermon on Panama Papers? How about silence of HH on booing of President? How about talking about HH shielding criminals like Chellah Tukuta, Anthony Bwalya and Mubita C Nawa?
The UPND surrogates can learn a lot from President Edgar Lungu. He is showing such high level of political maturity in the interest of the nation. Now the onus is on the opposition and its slave media to reciprocate, if they really love the motherland.
Now the response to this appeal will tell us about the intentions of the opposition. I hope they will not betray the people who support them, at least.
Zambia is a peace loving country. We believe in peace and dialogue. It is our firm belief that only dialogue is the way out from every problem. But there are reasons to believe that the Opposition party leaders think otherwise. They must mend their ways now and come forward for dialogue.
@Scoucer You are the classical example of anti national mentality. This comment is the mirror to your true soul. You should be grateful to the President, whom you are calling names, for allowing you to vomit whatever you want. Get well soon.
@Nemwine Yes. Everyone knows what Edgar Lungu means. Except for blind supporters of HH.
@Chi colour Edgar You are right. That why people never voted Hakainde Hichilema to power. Because he is Sh1t.
Lungu wants dialogue. Dialogue is a two way street. But Lungu never ever answers any real questions, then he turns away and let his minions say “time is up” And he wants dialogue with the chrurches. Why? He is the one person trespassing every single one of the ten commandments!
It is worth noting how the landscape changed in the USA soon as Trump departed. Even social media turbulence disappeared. All this restive cadre phenomenon will disappear soon as the guard changes. Please vote wisely. Concourt will not save you. Save yourselves.
People are right to question Lungu’s sincerity on dialogue. The Church Mother bodies called for dialogue a while back which was rejected by PF with impunity. HH called for dialogue a few months back which was also rejected by PF with an assortment of insults. Now he wakes up and claims he wants dialogue with the church? Its not dialogue with the church that is required but dialogue facilitated by the church . Why is he trying to muddle the issues. The Pastoral letter written to him a while ago by the Church Mother bodies raised a number of key issues. He has not addressed any of these issues!!. How can one then think such a person is sincere???
This man has been the biggest waste of time on the Zambian political scene in the history of this country.
FREE TAYALI WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT!
Let’s hand over instrument of power to speaker during election.lets follow the
Constitution.
@ Doreen, Timba, Mundia, Mavis above are one and the same person. Trying to increase the reactionary comments.
Ifyaba president wesu kuti bakulufya. Dialogue ended up to produce Bill 10. So another dialogue to come up with Bill 20!!!!!
@ Mundia. Don’t be so obtuse. Be grateful to this sw1ne who has plundered and decimated Zambia through corruption. He had appointed cadres at every ministry who are totally corrupt and incompetent.
This president of yours is a convicted thief. Once a thief always a thief. Stealing is in his DNA.
Chilufya Tayali is enjoying his Dialogue with ECL at Woodlands Police Station in dirty Police Cells in this cold weather. When ECL calls for Dialogue thats what he means. Arrests.. Arrests….detain..detain your Opponents in Police Cells. Constitutionalism,Rule of Law, Good Governance and respect for Human Rights in Zambia are dead under Dictator ECL. Another 5 years under ECL will be a disaster and suicidal.
Guys ifintu fimo kubako Objective….this is the same ECL ‘the humble man’ who ignored the Church body’s suggestion and advice and went ahead to sign in the Cyber Crime Bill now Law anyways. This President is a waste of space. I rest my case. Vote wisely bane come August please I beg you.
LUSAKA TIMES YOU ARE ALWAYS PARADING PHOTO’S OF LUNGU WHEN HE IS AT GATHERINGS WHY NO PHOTO’S OF HIS NAMWALA VISIT – NOT ENOUGH SUPPORTERS AT HIS RALLY ?????????????????? YOU HAVE SHOWN YOUR TRUE COLOURS LUSAKA TIMES – YOU ARE NO LONGER AN INDEPENDANT NEWS REPORTING AGENCY………………..
All dog whistle. He is the master mind behind political violence. The man can’t win even as a mere counselor thats why he tries by all means not to have anything formal to do with elections. At any given time he is going to sponsor thugs for violence in order to remain in power and in-charge. KBF didn’t know the man he was dealing with when woke the judges up at 02:00hrs in the morning.