By CHUSA SICHONE –

FIRST Republican president Kenneth Kaunda has urged Zambians to desist from violence before, during and after the general elections this year.
Dr Kaunda has further cautioned Zambians against engaging themselves in xenophobia.
Speaking at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus in Lusaka yesterday, Dr Kaunda observed that freedom fighters fought hard for Zambia to attain peace and thus, the citizenry should ensure that they maintained it with love for one another.
Dr Kaunda said Zambians should embrace one another regardlessof their political affiliation as engaging in violence was tantamount to going against the country’s vision.
“In this year of elections, let us remember to love our neighbour as ourselves. That neighbour maybe from another background or from another country; that neighbour may not be from your political party. Let us honour Zambia’s vision by avoiding violence.
“As we go about in politics, let us avoid violence within our parties and across parties and let us avoid violence against immigrants. We are brothers and sisters in this one world, Our One Zambia, One Nation,” he said.
Dr Kaunda’s remarks come in the wake of political violence which is usually rife in the run up to and after elections.
The country will hold general elections on August 11, 2016.
Dr Kaunda’s comments on violence against immigrants follow the recent riots experienced in some densely populated areas of Lusaka, resulting in the looting of shops belonging to foreigners.
The fracas was triggered by unconfirmed reports that foreigners were involved in ritual killings, which have led to six people being brutally murdered. The bodies were found with missing organs.