03/08/2026
๐ฏ๐ญ ๐๐๐น๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ
๐ญ๐๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ ๐ง๐๐ ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ ๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐จ๐ก๐๐ง๐ ๐ก๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ง๐๐๐๐๐ข๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ฅ ๐ฃ๐๐๐๐๐๐จ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก๐ฆ
The Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID), in partnership with the Three Church Mother Bodiesโthe Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) and the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB)โsuccessfully convened the National Peace Pledge Signing Ceremony under the theme:
"United for Peaceful, Credible and Inclusive 2026 General Elections."
The National Peace Pledge forms part of ZCID's continued commitment, alongside the Three Church Mother Bodies, to fostering dialogue, building political consensus and promoting peaceful, credible and inclusive democratic participation before, during and after the 2026 General Elections.
The ceremony brought together political parties, independent candidates, Government, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), traditional leaders, the United Nations, cooperating partners, members of the diplomatic community and civil society organisations to reaffirm a shared national commitment to peaceful, credible and violence-free elections.
Speaking on behalf of Zambia's political parties, ZCID Board Chairperson Ambassador Joyce Musenge reminded political leaders that while they may differ in ideology and political aspirations, they remain custodians of Zambia's democracy. She emphasized that political competition must never justify violence, intimidation or division, but should provide citizens with the opportunity to freely choose among competing ideas in an environment of peace, tolerance and mutual respect. She called on all political parties to honour both the letter and spirit of the National Peace Pledge by promoting issue-based campaigns, respecting democratic institutions and placing national unity above political differences.
Representing the Government of the Republic of Zambia, Secretary to the Cabinet Mr. Patrick Kangwa reaffirmed Government's commitment to safeguarding Zambia's proud legacy of peaceful elections. He assured the nation that Government institutions would continue to discharge their constitutional responsibilities professionally, fairly and impartially, while urging all political players to uphold the commitments made through the Peace Pledge and protect Zambia's democratic heritage.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), through its Chairperson, Mr. Zalomeous Mwangala, reminded political leaders that their words and actions shape the behaviour of their supporters. He called for campaigns centred on ideas, policies and national development, urged stakeholders to reject violence, misinformation and hate speech, and encouraged the use of lawful mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes.
Representing the House of Chiefs, Chief Fwambo appealed to political parties, candidates and citizens to preserve Zambia's enduring culture of peace. He particularly encouraged young people not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of political violence but instead to become ambassadors of dialogue, tolerance and national unity.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms. Beatrice Muntali, commended the leadership of ZCID and the Three Church Mother Bodies for bringing political stakeholders together in pursuit of a common purpose. She emphasized that peace is the foundation upon which democracy flourishes and encouraged all stakeholders to ensure that the commitments made through the National Peace Pledge are translated into action throughout the electoral period.
The Three Church Mother Bodies reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to promoting reconciliation, dialogue and peaceful coexistence. They called upon political leaders, candidates, supporters and all citizens to uphold the sanctity of life, reject violence, and continue working together to preserve Zambia's peace before, during and after the elections.
The signing of the National Peace Pledge marks the beginningโnot the endโof our collective responsibility to safeguard peace. The true measure of this commitment will not be the signatures appended to the pledge, but the conduct of political leaders, candidates, supporters and citizens throughout the electoral process.
As Zambia approaches the 13 August 2026 General Elections, ZCID calls upon every stakeholder to honour the commitments made and demonstrate that our democracy is strengthened through dialogue, mutual respect, tolerance and peaceful political participation.
Together, let us choose dialogue over confrontation, respect over hostility, unity over division and peace over violence.
Elections are temporary. Zambia is permanent.
๐ฟ๐ฒ Peace Begins With All of Us.
