July 2001 Africa News Headlines

Monday, July 23, 2001 - Web posted at 12:37:20 GMT

Zambian bishops concerned over rising political tension

LUSAKA - Zambia's Catholic bishops expressed concern on Friday at rising political tension in the country, which has spilled over into violence in recentweeks.

"The concern we have is that the depth of the current social crisis and loss of trust in the political system may have a serious negative effect on the electoral process," the bishops said in statement.

Presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled in Zambia later this year.

Last week, several people were seriously injured when supporters of the ruling party and the opposition clashed in the capital, following a parliamentary by-election that the opposition candidate won.

"An opposition leaders is not an enemy to be eliminated but a colleague with different political views," said Bishop Dennis de Jong, who read the statement to reporters.

"We call upon all political parties to stick to issues rather than engage in trading insults with other political parties. They should give the voters clear options on specific policies to be pursued."

The bishops said institutions which could help entrench democracy such as the Electoral Commission and the Permanent Human Rights Commission were underfunded and ineffective. - Nampa-Sapa-AP

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