Zambia's Church Leaders Urge Political Unity Amid Rising Tensions

In a bid to ease growing political tensions in Zambia, the Zambia Council of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ), and the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) have called for dialogue between President Hakainde Hichilema (HH) and former President Edgar Lungu (ECL). The Church leaders believe that their cooperation is essential for national unity.

ZCCB Secretary General Father Francis Mukosa emphasized the importance of this dialogue, stating, *"calls for dialogue between the two leaders had been there for some time"* and it is imperative for HH and ECL to set aside their differences for the sake of the country. The Church mother bodies are concerned about the increasing political tension that has led to regional divisions.

The appeal from the Church comes at a time when Zambia is experiencing significant political unrest. Incidents like the abduction and torture of Member of Parliament Emmanuel Jay Banda have heightened the urgency for national leaders to address the tension. Critics have accused the Church of hypocrisy, alleging past support for ECL and allowing him to use the pulpit for divisive rhetoric.

Why this matters: The call for unity and dialogue between Zambia's political leaders has significant implications for the country's stability and development. If successful, it could lead to a reduction in political violence and promote a more harmonious and peaceful Zambia.

Despite these criticisms, the Church leaders remain committed to promoting dialogue. Father Mukosa reiterated the Church's readiness to mediate, saying, *"The Catholic Church is ever ready to mediate between the two national leaders for the sake of unity, peace, and harmony in the country. "* This mediation is seen as a necessary step to bridge the regional divides and promote national unity.

The Church's call for unity also includes a broader appeal to all political leaders to cultivate a culture of respect and dialogue. They emphasized the importance of respecting each human life and urged leaders to stop insulting each other, instead recognizing their opponents' constitutional rights to hold differing opinions. The Church also called for zero tolerance towards political violence and urged media houses to avoid sensationalism.

The appeal from the Church leaders is timely, coinciding with the Christmas season, a period traditionally associated with peace and goodwill. They expressed their hope that the spirit of the season would inspire political leaders to embrace dialogue and work towards a more united and peaceful Zambia.

To recap, the Church's call for dialogue between President Hichilema and former President Lungu highlights the urgent need for political unity in Zambia. By setting aside their differences and working together, the two leaders have the potential to heal regional divides and promote a more harmonious nation.

Key Takeaways

• Zambia's Church leaders call for dialogue between President Hichilema and former President Lungu to ease political tensions.
• Dialogue is essential for national unity and to address regional divisions, according to the Church leaders.
• The Church is willing to mediate between the two leaders to promote peace and harmony.
• The appeal also includes a broader call for political leaders to respect each other and cultivate a culture of dialogue.
• The Church's call for unity coincides with the Christmas season, a time associated with peace and goodwill.