Learn from Mozambique, says ECL

ZAMBIAN politicians should learn from the peace accord signed by Mozambique ruling Frelimo Party and the Opposition Renamo aimed at enhancing peace, President Edgar Lungu has advised.

Speaking to Journalists at Zambia Air force airport in Lusaka upon his arrival yesterday from Mozambique were he witnessed the signing of the peace accord, the Head of State said Zambian politicians could learn from the signing of the peace accord in that country.

He said there was need for the Zambian politicians to enhance peace by talking to each other in harmony for the betterment of the nation.

Mr Lungu said it was prudent that politicians in the country embraced each other.

“We witnessed what happened in Kenya were President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga shock hands and now it has happened in Mozambique and this can be done here in Zambia, President Lungu said.

President Lungu said peace was prerequisite to the development of the nation.

“We what peace in the region and I made it very clear when I spoke yesterday (Tuesday) in Mozambique that peace is prerequisite to development. You saw what happened recently in some parts of Zambia over the years on the differences between Frelimo Renamo, we were affected.

“And I think we can learn a lot of lessons from them as Zambian politicians. We need to talk to each other,” he said.

Mozambique’s president and the leader of country’s main opposition group signed a new peace accord Tuesday, pledging to end years of violence and work toward peaceful elections in October.

The signing of the Peace and National Reconciliation Agreement in the country’s capital, Maputo, by President Filipe Nyusi and Ossufo Momade, the leader of the Renamo rebel group, followed their signing last week of a similar agreement to cease military hostilities that took place in Gorongosa National Park in central Mozambique.