Zambia’s opposition resumes election campaign ahead of KK’s funeral
The United Party for National Development (UPND) suspended electioneering following the death of former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda. The party has resumed its election campaign but will suspend all activities on his burial day on July 7.
RUSTENBURG, June 24 (ANA) – Zambia’s United Party for National Development (UPND) Alliance has resumed its campaign activities for the August 12 general election.
Last week the party announced that it was suspending all its election campaigning in honour of the iconic and revered African leader Kenneth Kaunda.
The founding father of Zambian liberation died aged 97 at Maina Soko Medical Centre in the capital Lusaka on June 17.
Party leader Hakainde Hichilema said at the time that the UPND Alliance would suspend all active mobilisation activities until further notice.
“It is also agreed and therefore directed that all our people out on the campaign trail across the country immediately call off all campaigns and return to their original bases as the nation comes together in unity to pay our respects to our nation’s founding father,” Hichilema said.
Hichilema is the alliance’s candidate for presidency, challenging Edgar Lungu of the ruling Patriotic Front.
News website Lusaka Times reported on Tuesday that secretary-general Batuke Imenda said that they would resume campaign activities with immediate effect but would not campaign on July 7, the burial day for Kaunda.
According to the Lusaka Times, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) secretary-general Lucky Mulusa said alliance partners would use the mobilisation platform to allow the young generation to experience Kaunda’s leadership by sharing his legacy of love, unity and selflessness to serve humanity beyond Zambia.
Kaunda ruled Zambia from 1964 up to 1991. He is credited for the role he played during the struggle for liberation in southern Africa.
Zambia provided refuge, care and support to liberation fighters and offered Lusaka as the headquarters of the African National Congress (ANC) in exile during the fight against apartheid in South Africa.
During Kaunda’s rule, Zambia hosted and allowed the South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo) and its liberation wing, the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia, to operate in the country as they fought for Namibia’s independence.
– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher