CHURCHES LAUNCH PEACE INITIATIVE AHEAD OF ELECTIONS

CHURCHES LAUNCH PEACE INITIATIVE AHEAD OF ELECTIONS

The Council of Churches in Zambia has launched a peace-building initiative at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka aimed at promoting peaceful, credible and violence-free elections ahead of the August 13 General Election.

The event brought together leaders from the country's church mother bodies in a united effort to promote peace and national cohesion. Church leaders emphasized the importance of tolerance, dialogue and mutual respect among citizens and political players, while reaffirming the church's commitment to encouraging democratic participation and safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.

Zambia Centre for Inter-Party Dialogue Board Chairperson, Ambassador Joyce Musenge, stressed the need for peaceful political engagement, stating that one life lost is one too many and urging all stakeholders to refrain from political violence. Electoral Commission of Zambia Chairperson, Mwangala Zaloumis, also called on political parties and candidates to conduct their campaigns in a manner that upholds democratic values and adheres to the Electoral Code of Conduct.

Church leaders said peaceful elections are vital to preserving national unity and ensuring that the will of the people is expressed freely and peacefully.