Human rights Advocate calls for unity

Governance expert and human rights advocate Wesley Miyanda has called on Zambians to protect the country’s long standing culture of peaceful democratic transitions, urging political leaders and their supporters to place national unity above political interests. Mr Miyanda said…

Governance expert and human rights advocate Wesley Miyanda has called on Zambians to protect the country’s long standing culture of peaceful democratic transitions, urging political leaders and their supporters to place national unity above political interests.

Mr Miyanda said Zambia has enjoyed peace since attaining independence and has conducted elections that resulted in changes of government without bloodshed or widespread political violence.

Speaking in an interview with the media, the governance expert appealed to political actors, particularly those dissatisfied with electoral outcomes, to use established democratic and legal processes to address their grievances rather than resorting to actions that could threaten the country’s peace and stability.

“Petitions are very important and they are constitutional. No one can stop them. I think that is the best thing we should do. We need to follow the process and see how the issues are resolved at the end of the day,”  said Mr Miyanda.

He cited Zambia’s history of political perseverance as an example of how electoral disputes and defeats can be handled within a democratic framework.

He noted that some political leaders had lost elections several times but continued to participate in the democratic process, reorganising and returning to contest subsequent elections without mobilising supporters to cause unrest.

Mr Miyanda said political leaders should consider the broader interests of the country rather than allowing political disagreements to divide citizens.

“We cannot afford to put this country on fire because of politics. We don’t have any other home apart from this home called Zambia,” he said.

Mr Miyanda urged both winners and losers of elections to demonstrate restraint, peace and unity, saying the responsibility to protect Zambia’s stability rests with every citizen.

He said Zambia should now focus on healing and reconciliation following political contestation and begin rebuilding trust among citizens.

Mr Miyanda further warned that political instability could undermine Zambia’s economic prospects by discouraging potential investors.

He argued that investment could help create jobs and business opportunities while contributing to efforts to address the rising cost of living.

Mr Miyanda called on Zambians to put aside personal attacks and political divisions and work collectively to move the country forward.

He said the responsibility of the current generation is to preserve the peace inherited from previous generations and leave behind a stronger and more united Zambia.

“We should put our heads together and forget about personal attacks. Let us become a picture of this country that we should move forward and even make it better than we found it,” said Miyanda.