Zambia hub of democracy, says Cosmo Mumba
ZAMBIA has demonstrated that it is a hub of democracy and human rights by granting Congo DR politician Moise Katumbi’s brother, Soriano Kitanuka asylum, says spokesperson for Youth Political Parties in Southern Africa Cosmo Mumba. Dr Mumba said it was also clear that Zambia would never tolerate violations of human rights. He said Zambia had demonstrated to the entire region that democracy and adherence to human rights was an integral part in its governance system by granting Mr Kitanuka asylum and surrendering to Harare Zimbabwean opposition figure Tendai Biti who is facing charges of inciting post-election violence in his country. He said the move by the Zambian government must be commended and should act as an example to other countries in the region to respect human rights and democracy. Dr Mumba said it was however time Zambians learnt from what was happening in other neighbouring countries. “I feel as Zambians what is happening in our neighbouring countries should be a lesson and also an opportunity for us to guard jealously our freedom and democracy we have continued to enjoy, ”he said. Dr Mumba said President Edgar Lungu must be commended for not responding to pressure from people who had branded him negatively. He said the reality on the ground should be conviction to opposition political parties that it was unfair for them to continue to dent the image of a democratic Zambian government. “We as a country are known for being peaceful and that is why we feel some of our opposition leaders are unfair when they go out on international media platforms to dent the image of their own country,” Dr Mumba said.