AFRICA/ZAMBIA - The Bishops send their best wishes to the newly-elected President: "Work to strengthen national unity"

Lusaka (Agenzia Fides) - "Newly-elected President Edgar Lungu has to work to strengthen national unity, threatened by party divisions and tribalism". This is the meaning of the declaration of the Episcopal Conference of Zambia, following the presidential elections on January 20, won by Edgar Lungu. Elections were necessary after the death of President Michael Chilufya Sata, November 28, 2014.
In their statement, sent to Fides, the Bishops rejoice for the peaceful conduct of the elections, despite the tensions during the election campaign.
The Bishops call the new Head of State to work for national unity that is weakened by various problems, which emerged during the campaign. Among these are the divisions within the parties, the use of political violence, tribalism, the misuse of the media, undue intrusion in the election campaign of traditional leaders and members of the clergy.
On this last point, the Bishops say they were "disconcerted by and severely reprimand those of our priests who gave platform to candidates to speak to their faithful during liturgical services, particularly holy mass, in manner that is indirectly or directly connected with campaigning". They also state: "priests who indulge in partisan politics are in the political arena on their own; they have neither authorization nor backing from their diocesan Bishops". (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 04/02/2015)