VIOLENCE RECIPE FOR WAR

THE nation, especially political leaders, should deeply reflect on violence that marred the just-ended by-elections because such acts if left unchecked can plunge the nation into turmoil. It would be folly for political leaders, be it from the Patriotic Front or indeed the United Party for National Development (UPND) to ignore or just gloss over the violence that rocked Sesheke. Time to act is now, the sooner the better. Those acts of brutality the nation was treated to have the potential to easily spread throughout the country into war, a fact all political players should not be oblivious to. Unfortunately, it is clear from the violent-torn poll in Sesheke that for politicians, it was about winning the parliamentary seat, to outwit the other party, regardless of whether some people were maimed or killed. This is not as it should be. Politicians should put the interests of the citizens above all else and ensure violence-free elections to avoid setting the nation on fire. Fears by Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi that the country may soon be plunged into turmoil because of selfish politicians who use violence as a tool to win elections are therefore on point. UPND and PF leaders will therefore do well to take Ms Nawakwi’s observations seriously because the extent of the brutality was unprecedented. “These acts of violence will lead the country to war if we are not careful because those who see others to be enemies will continue fighting and there will be war in the country,” laments Ms Nawakwi. We can’t agree more with the FDD leader. It is high time the issue of electoral violence which continues to be glossed over by the nation is tackled once and for all before disaster befalls the nation. People have talked and talked but the time has come for political stakeholders and all Zambians to nip the problem in the bud or risk courting war. But surely, should the nation, which is known and cherished as an oasis of peace in the world “sleepwalk” into a needless war just because one man has to be voted into Parliament or indeed because of any other elections? We think not. The buck stops at politicians, and in this case the PF and the UPND, who are forever at each other’s throats like animals. It wouldn’t be wrong to conclude that for as long as the hostilities continue between the two archrivals, the nation remains at risk of being plunged into turmoil. Once again, we urge leaders of the two political parties to reflect deeply on the issue of violence and turn a new leaf if at all they want peace to prevail in the country. Members of the two political parties should stop seeing each other as perpetual enemies but partners in development regardless of the differences in political ideologies. After all, politicians are supposed to serve citizens who put them in power and not just winning an election for party superiority or self and tribal aggrandisement. Zambians saw how Sesheke was turned into a battleground and have now been gripped with fear as to what will happen in 2021.