ZAMBIA MUST CHOOSE DIALOGUE OVER INTIMIDATION – MUSHIMBA Organised People’s Party (OPP) President Eng. Dr. Brian Mushimba has called for dialogue, reconciliation and forgiveness following Zambia’s recently concluded elections, warning that continued confrontations with dissenting voices could deepen political divisions. Dr Mushimba said he was concerned about the continued targeting of Archbishop Alick Banda, while […]

ZAMBIA MUST CHOOSE DIALOGUE OVER INTIMIDATION – MUSHIMBA

Organised People’s Party (OPP) President Eng. Dr. Brian Mushimba has called for dialogue, reconciliation and forgiveness following Zambia’s recently concluded elections, warning that continued confrontations with dissenting voices could deepen political divisions.

Dr Mushimba said he was concerned about the continued targeting of Archbishop Alick Banda, while acknowledging that the State had the right to investigate genuine allegations.

He, however, cautioned that such authority should not be used to silence dissent, intimidate critics or punish citizens for expressing views that may be uncomfortable to those in power.

“I am deeply disturbed by what appears to be the continued targeting of Archbishop Alick Banda,” Dr Mushimba said.

He said Zambia remained divided and that unnecessary confrontations with dissenting voices could increase suspicion and widen political differences.

“Zambia is fractured. Divided,” he said, adding that every confrontation with dissenting voices could push citizens further apart.

Dr Mushimba said true leadership should be measured by the ability to listen, engage and forgive rather than by the number of people summoned by the authorities.

“True leadership is demonstrated by the courage to listen, the humility to engage and the wisdom to forgive,” he said.

He further warned that fear and intimidation could not provide a foundation for national unity, particularly where citizens held divergent political views.

“We cannot build a united Zambia through fear,” Dr Mushimba said.

He called on Government to lower the political temperature and embrace dialogue and reconciliation after the August elections.

“We dialogue. We reconcile. We forgive each other,” he said.