Lungu urges quick amicable settlement in Zimbabwe
By Staff Reporter
President Edgar Lungu has urged a quick and peaceful resolution to the impasse and respect for human rights in Zimbabwe as the country is going through a military take over transition.
And Amnesty International’s Regional Director for Southern Africa Deprose Muchena has called on the army to safeguard human rights of all citizens.
President Lungu who is currently in Cairo, Egypt for a state visit in a statement yesterday by his press aide, Amos Chanda said he was keeping communication channels with Zimbabwean administration and other leaders on the continent open.
‘’We are carefully monitoring the evolving situation in Zimbabwe. We are maintaining open lines of communication with the administration and exchanging with our other regional neighbours. I have encouraged all parties in Zimbabwe to work towards a quick and peaceful resolution to the impasse and to uphold human rights.’’
Foreign affairs minister Harry Kalaba yesterday flew from Cairo to Gaborone, Botswana to attend meetings of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Troika on Defence and Security together with Angola and South Africawho serving members of the Troika.
Commenting as he left Cairo, Mr Kalaba said: ” Zambia will continue to push for measures to safe-guard security within our framework of regional cooperation. SADC and the African Union (AU) are both clear and unambiguous when it comes to the sanctity of national constitutions”.
And in response to the military takeover and subsequent control of certain streets of the capital city Harare and the state-run broadcaster, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation,
Muchena also cautioned army officials against using the military take over as an excuse to undermine people’s rights.
“At this tense time, it is essential that the military ensure the safety and security of all people in Zimbabwe – regardless of their political allegiance – and refrain from any action that puts lives and human rights at risk,” said Muchena in a statement.
“Military officials must uphold human rights, including the right to liberty, freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. The free flow of information – through the media and social media – must be guaranteed. The military takeover should not be used as an excuse to undermine Zimbabwe’s international and regional human rights obligations and commitments.”
On Tueday this week, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces spokesperson Sibusiso Moyo following the take over by the army claimed that the army was targeting people around President Robert Mugabe who had caused ‘social and economic suffering’ to bring them to justice.
