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The United Party for National Development (UPND) has called on the Commonwealth and the European Union not to issue statements that could be seen as endorsing insurgency or terrorism in Zambia.
UPND Media Director, Mark Simuuwe, said the party had taken note of the statement issued by Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Shirley Botchwey, concerning the post-election situation in Zambia.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Sunday, Simuuwe said while the UPND respected the Commonwealth and the EU’s commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law, the institutions should apply consistent standards in addressing security threats, including insurgency, terrorism and the militarisation of political organisations.
He said the same measures applied to such threats in other parts of the world should equally apply to Zambia.
“The Commonwealth and EU should be equally concerned by reports of the alleged militarisation of opposition political parties and activities that may constitute threats to national security,” Simuuwe stated.
“We therefore ask: What would the response be if a ruling political party in another Commonwealth country established or supported a militarised group? The same standards must apply to all political actors. There must be no double standards when dealing with matters of national security, insurgency, and terrorism,” Simuuwe said.
“Political parties must be demilitarised, and any allegations involving terrorism, terrorist financing, organised violence or the unlawful possession of military weapons must be investigated through established legal processes,” he added.
Recently, the Commonwealth expressed concern over the post-election situation in Zambia, calling for an end to what it termed “arbitrary arrests”, for due process, and for the release of all persons detained for political reasons.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey urged “full respect for the rights of all persons and for the rule of law, in conformity with the Commonwealth Charter and its values”.
Botchwey further expressed dismay at a security operation in Lusaka in which a police officer was injured, and former Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya lost his life.
She called on all parties to exercise restraint and engage in constructive dialogue to de-escalate tensions, safeguard peace and stability, and protect Zambia’s democratic dispensation.
Similary, the European Union acknowledged the announcement by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) of the results of the general elections held on 13 August and the re-election of President Hakainde Hichilema.
In its preliminary findings, the EU EOM noted that the election day was calm overall, with voting generally conducted efficiently and voters were offered a competitive choice, although restrictions on campaigning and advantages associated with incumbency contributed to an uneven playing field.
The latest EOM statement pointed to serious incidents and procedural irregularities during the counting and tabulation, impacting the transparency and the credibility of the process.
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