By THANDIWE MOYO –
THE Dag Hammarskjoeld Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies (DHIPS) has challenged political party leaders through their constituency, district and provincial leaderships to prioritise conflict prevention in this year’s elections.
DHIPS advocacy and communications head, Rose Makano said the organisation understood the value of political party leaders and the need for them to prevent violence.
Speaking during a conflict prevention meeting in Lusaka on Thursday, Dr Makano said DHIPS viewed every political party as a potential in-coming government, hence it was important that they commit themselves to curbing violence.
Dr Makano said the organisation was exploring ways on how political parties could effectively prevent political violence through district leaders and youth leaders at provincial and constituency level.
“As Zambia goes for general elections in August this year, it is important that district leaders stop their followers from indulging in violence.
“We hope by the end of the workshop, this massage will be transferred to youths. We found it prudent to target political party leaders at the grassroots because we know some youths are paid by district leaders to indulge in violence,” she said.
Dr Makano observed that violence was a serious problem which required concerted efforts from all stakeholders and members of the public.
She said political parties should be aware that their ascension to power was directly influenced by what they could deliver.
“This election year, we as stakeholders want strong, tangible commitments to be made by our political parties to ensure that we are secure,” she said.
Dr Makano said the workshop was aimed at preventing conflicts among political parties and exploring real solutions to the trend.
Leaders from different parties attended the workshop.
The parties represented were Patriotic Front, United Party for National Development (UPND), Forum for Democracy and Development, Movement for Multi-party Democracy, Rainbow Party, Green Party, People’s Alliance for Change, United National Independence Party and Democratic Assembly .
UPND district chairperson for Chipata, Chama Funga said it was not easy to stop violence because most cadres were merely responding to attacks.