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KK urges peace, as Rupiah acknowledges violence

KK urges peace, as Rupiah acknowledges violence
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Tue 17 May 2011, 15:40 CAT

DR KENNETH Kaunda says Zambia can only promote peace to the outside world if its internal peace is guaranteed. And President Rupiah Banda has acknowledged the recent spate of fatal riots in some parts of the country.

During the official opening of the Fifth International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) yesterday, Zambia’s first president said political differences should never lead to violent activities in the country.

The IIPT is a non-profit organisation dedicated to fostering and facilitating tourism initiatives, which contribute to international understanding and cooperation, an improved quality of environment, the preservation of heritage, and through these initiatives, helping to bring about a peaceful and sustainable world.

Dr Kaunda said sustainable promotion and growth of the tourism sector was dependent on peace.

“We cannot hope to promote peace with the outside world if here at home as a nation, we view each other as enemies based on our differences in political affiliation, tribe, ethnicity and even faith,” said Dr Kaunda.

“We can only hope to succeed in promoting tourism through our peace efforts if as a people we are at peace within ourselves.”

And President Banda said peace was key to the promotion of tourism.
He said tourists would only travel to a location where peace was not at risk of disruption.

“Zambia will hold tripartite elections this year. There is a tendency for international visitors to shy away from countries facing elections for fear of instability or bloodshed,” President Banda said in a speech he delivered amid coughs, prompting his aide de camp to give him water.

“Zambia has held so far ten very peaceful general elections and one presidential by-election.”

President Banda acknowledged the recent spate of violence in some parts of the country.

“Sometimes we politicians use strong language and have firm disagreements on issues of policy, but our voters are always friendly, hospitable and peace-loving,” said President Banda.

“I cannot pretend that we have not experienced incidents like riots, but on the whole, history attests that Zambia is absolutely stable.”

Luapula and Western provinces recently experienced deadly revolts.

In Luapula, the uprising was caused when locals attacked perceived affluent residents whom they accused of killing some residents for ritual reasons.

In Western province, people rioted in pursuit of the recognition of the Barotseland Agreement of 1964, which they contend could help address high poverty levels in the area.

Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, KENNETH KAUNDA, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 3:33 PM