from ARNOLD MULENGA in Lusaka, Zambia
Zambia Bureau
LUSAKA, (CAJ News) – ZAMBIA’S main Christian church bodies have joined forces to campaign for credible elections next year.
Under the Christian Churches Monitoring Group (CCMG) they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to ensure a credible exercise as well as preserve democracy.
The signatories are the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) and Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB).
Speaking on behalf of CCMG, Bishop Paul Mususu, who is also chairperson of EFZ, noted the partnership was a milestone, as CCMG was celebrating a decade.
“CCMG has worked tirelessly to advocate for peace, justice and accountability,” he said in his speech.
He added, “The church occupies an essential and influential position in society and has a critical role to play before, during and after elections.”
The Southern African country is edgy with elections due in less than a year.
There have been allegations of vote rigging and closure of the democratic space, blamed on President Hakainde Hichilema and United Party for National Development (UPND), seeking a second term after dislodging the Patriotic Front (PF) in 2021.
Some politicians have used church services as platforms to criticise their rivals.
Hate speech is also rife.
Over 95 percent of the Zambian population identify as Christian.
– CAJ News