CARITAS ZAMBIA URGES PRESIDENT HICHILEMA TO RESTRAIN UPND OFFICIALS UNDERMINING DIALOGUE EFFORTS
By Elesani Phiri
Caritas Zambia Executive Director Father Dr. Gabriel Mapulanga has called on President Hakainde Hichilema to restrain UPND functionaries from making statements that undermine efforts to promote dialogue in the country.
Father Mapulanga says some party functionaries need to be controlled, particularly when commenting on the Church’s call for dialogue between government and the opposition.
He has told Phoenix News that calling for dialogue does not mean the Church supports or condones alleged wrongdoing by opposition members, but is aimed at addressing political tensions arising from the August 13th elections and broader governance concerns.
Father Mapulanga says the Church believes dialogue provides an opportunity for concerned parties to sit down, present their views and find ways of resolving issues affecting the country.
He says it is therefore unfortunate for anyone to portray the Church’s call for dialogue as taking sides with the opposition
Dr. Mapulanga said this following UPND Media Director Mark Simuuwe’s remarks that all priests calling for reconciliation and personal meetings in matters of militia are accomplices to the opposition and are endorsing acts of treason and insurgency.
PHOENIX NEWS