Zambia ruling party accuses opposition of flouting peace accord

Zambia's ruling party on Monday accused the country's main opposition political party of failing to abide by an agreement signed by leaders to uphold peace ahead of general elections this year.

18 political leaders who met at a peace dialogue organized by church leaders agreed on March 30 to end violence and promote peaceful campaigns ahead of the August 11 general elections.

But the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) said the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) has failed to hold the outcome of the meeting by perpetrating violence.

Frank Bwalya, the ruling party's deputy spokesperson said it was clear that leaders of the opposition party have failed to tame their supporters and have continued to use abusive language against their opponents.

"Many people in Zambia today have heard the leadership of the United Party for National Development accusing our party of flouting what political parties that participated in the Peace Indaba agreed upon," he told reporters during a press briefing.

In an apparent reference to an incident which occurred in Lusaka, the country's capital on Sunday, UPND supporters smashed offices belonging to the ruling party in one of the townships.

The opposition parties vented their anger on the ruling party supporters who wanted to disrupt a youth rally for the opposition party.

Bwalya further said top leaders of the opposition party have continued issuing provocative words against their opponents which is contrary to what was agreed during the dialogue on peace by all leaders.

"We know that UPND has a plan to escalate violence ahead of the forthcoming general election while accusing PF of instigating violence," he added.

The ruling party will hold a rally on May 14 to officially endorse incumbent President Edgar Lungu as its presidential candidate. Endit