The Anglican Church in Zambia has launched a programme to train election monitors in the run-up to this year’s general elections forestall political violence and potential polling fraud.
It was better to “get involved and be prepared” in the political system “rather than crying foul after the election results have been announced,” Lusaka diocesan secretary the Rev Jackson Katete told the Zambian Post on March 7.
Zambia’s constitution requires President Rupiah Banda to call a general election this year for representativesto the National Assembly and for the presidency. On August 19, 2008 President Levy Mwanawasa died in office, and an election was held on October 30 to fill the remainder of his five-year term.
Acting-President Banda of the ruling Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) stood for election against Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front (PF) party and a number of regional candidates ina hotly contested, and sometimes violent, race. Ultimately Banda was sworn in to office.
The Anglican Church in Zambia has been a strong critic of government corruption and inefficiency, but has avoided direct involvement ni partisan politics.
Priests who have become involved in party politics have been disciplined by the Church. In December the Bishop of Lusaka, the Rt Rev David Njobvu called upon a priest from the Diocese of Northern Zambia to leave the Church after he lent his support to critics of President Banda.
The Rev Richard Luonde of Kitwe claimed Zambia had drifted back to the 18th Century under President Banda because he had “managed to kill all 21st Century laws that enhance good governance”.
The priest had also lent his support to the “red card” campaign to defeat President Banda. Bishop Njobvu denounced the preist’s involvement in party politics and urged him to choose between the church and politics. However, Fr Loud told The Post he would not be silent.
“We are not enslaved to look sideways when things are wrong; that’s why we are priests,” he said.
By George Conger, The Church of England Newspaper