• Political players must commit to promoting peace
• For the past 30 years, Zambia has been a model of peaceful and multi-party political transitions.
• Peace is an expensive commodity which must always be guarded jealously.

Commonwealth has urged political party leaders to commit themselves to promoting peace and unity as the country heads towards general elections.
Speaking during a Peace Conference for political party Presidents at Mulungushi International Conference Centre, Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland said as political players pledge to promote peace in the country, they must bear in mind that man is a best weapon of peace.
Ms. Scotland said the Commonwealth is committed to working with all cooperating partners in ensuring that Zambia has a peaceful election, because violence is not the solution to problems.
She stated that it is imperative that political parties and institutions embrace transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law, noting that Peace is an expensive commodity which Zambians must always guard jealously.
“Peace pledge signing ceremony is truly an achievement to be admired and celebrated and one which we would hope to see encouraged and emulated in the wider Commonwealth family, Zambian leaders are once again at the forefront of fostering peace, unity and socio political cohesion,” Ms. Scotland said.
Ms. Scotland explained that since independence, Zambia has been a haven of peace in the region.
“For the past 30 years, Zambia has been a model of peaceful and multi-party political transitions. I am hopeful that the peace and non-violence pledge that will be signed today by Zambia’s political leaders, will mark the beginning of brotherly politicking and violence-free elections in Zambia,” she added.
Speaking at the same event, Special Representative of the Secretary General to the African Union and Head of the United Nations Office to the African Union Hanna Tetteh has called on political party leaders to work together to unite the country.
“Political party leaders who are committed to serve must have the people of Zambia at heart,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Zambia Center for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID) Board Chairperson Jackson Silavwe has urged political party leaders to choose a path of peace by rejecting violence.
And Political party leaders and representatives that include Patriotic Front party (PF) Secretary General Davies Mwila, United Party for National Development (UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema and Democratic Party Leader Harry Kalaba among others have pledged peace before, during and after the General Elections slated for 12th August 2021.
The signing of the peace pledge is was spearheaded by the Coalition for Peaceful Elections in Zambia, comprising Law Association of Zambia, Human Rights Commission, Non-Governmental Organizations Coordinating Council, Zambia Federation of Disability Organizations, Zambia Police Service, Media Institute of Southern Africa, National Youth Development Council and Transparency International, supported by the Commonwealth and United Nations. The coalition was launched on July 1st, 2021.