Bishops Council of Zambia President Martin Silwimba has congratulated President Hakainde Hichilema on his election as President of the United Party for National Development (UPND), noting that the development is as a reflection of the confidence and unity within the ruling party.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the media, Bishop Silwimba says President Hichilema’s election at the just-ended UPND convention demonstrates the party’s commitment to democratic principles and orderly leadership transitions.
“We wish to sincerely congratulate President Hakainde Hichilema on his election as President of the UPND, this is a clear indication of the trust and confidence that party members have in his leadership, “he said.
Bishop Silwimba has also urged party members who were not adopted or elected during the convention to remain loyal and supportive of the party leadership, emphasising the importance of unity in sustaining national development.
“To those who were not adopted or elected, we encourage you to remain steadfast and continue supporting the President and the party. Unity is key to building a stronger and more prosperous Zambia,” he said.
Bishop Silwimba further commended the UPND for holding a peaceful and orderly convention, noting that the conduct of the event sets a positive example for Zambia’s political landscape.
“We are impressed with the peaceful manner in which the UPND conducted its convention, this is the kind of political maturity that the country needs as we move forward,” he said.
Bishop Silwimba has since called on the opposition political parties to emulate the UPND by promoting peace, love and unity in their internal processes and national engagements.
“As a nation, we must prioritise peace and unity above all else, we encourage other political players to learn from this example and ensure that their activities contribute to national development”, he said.
The Bishops Council of Zambia has reiterated its commitment to promoting peace, dialogue and unity as the country continues on its democratic path.
