BAN

DURING the solemn commemorations to mark the 20th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda, Ban Ki- Moon said, “Never again should the Rwandans let genocide tear their nation apart.” I actually write to say the same to Zambians, “never let anything tear our nation apart.”
There could have been other deep-seated causes of genocide in Rwanda but the major one was simply tribal hatred.
This was later fuelled by unethical reporting by media, and negligence by the international community.
For 100 days we all watched our fellow human beings brutally killing each other without intervening.
We are guilty.
As Rwanda observes 100 days in commemoration of that massacre, Zambians must also pause and reflect to learn from that sad experience and avoid what we can in order to protect our peace and unity.
We should get concerned when we hear party political leaders issuing inflammatory tribal or racial statements, and worry when we hear of certain regions within our country advocating secession.
We must act swiftly to stop the carrying of machetes and pangas by political boys in any staged protest.
We must educate media houses to be messengers of peace and unity amidst a divergence of opinions.
Entertaining the above factors is like playing with little fireworks which have the potential of exploding into “Mississippi fires” in case of an eventuality.
Fifty years of independence, it is primarily the responsibility of Zambians to protect their own freedom, peace, and unity.

REV WILLIE NYENDWA
Ndola